Driving License for H4 Visa holders in Illinois

[moooonwalker]

Can someone suggest how a H4 Visa holder can drive in Illinois. Currently H4 visa holders are denied SSN and DMV doesn't issue license without SSN. IDL is not valid in Illinois either.

[nkm-oct23]

See this website. I think they have a temporary visitor driver license program. You will need a letter from SSA saying that SSN cannot be issued to the H4 holder.

http://www.sos.state.il.us/departmen...visitordl.html

[moooonwalker]

Thanks NKM-oct23. This was exactly was i was looking for

[Karlshammar]

As for the SSN requirement, bring your ID and legal presence documents to the SSA and get a letter from them saying that you are ineligible for a SSN. If they won't issue it or say they will only issue it if requested by the state, fill out an application for a SSN and turn it in with your documents. They will have to process it and deny it since you are ineligible, and then ask for a "Form SSA-L676 SSN Card Denial Notice" if they don't offer it to you automatically. This is official proof that you are ineligible for a SSN and will be accepted for your driver license.

Originally Posted by moooonwalker

Thanks NKM-oct23. This was exactly was i was looking for

[Karlshammar]

Once you have the "Form SSA-L676 SSN Card Denial Notice" it should be fine, because that's official proof that she's not eligible. I don't know about your State, but I have helped friends do it in California and it's always worked like a charm. One even got a DL when he was here on a tourist visa-waiver.

Dunno if it works every time, though. Here in CA, the service you get at the DMV is highly dependent on who you talk to, and the supervisors aren't necessarily any better than the regular workers. I was lucky enough to find an expert at my local office and go to him every time. I was trying to get an endorsement for my license and the staff there refused to acknowledge that it even existed. It was in the Vehicle Code, the California Code of Regulations and in two of their publications which we looked at together. I had to come back 3 times, but the 4th time that guy handled my case, added my endorsement in 1 minute and then showed the rest of the staff how to do it.

Sorry for the rambling, but my point is this: if at first you don't succeed, find another staff member. If it's still a no-go, find another office.

Best of luck! Let us know how it goes.

Originally Posted by rahulp1

Hi,

We are going to Social Security Office next week to get the letter that they can not issue SSN number for my spouse who is on H4. After that we will approach DMV for Temporary Visitor Driving License Permit.

If somebody has already gone through the process please let us know what to look for.

Thanks
Rahul

[moooonwalker]

Hey Rahul,
you need to take the SSN Denail Letter, passport showing that you atleast have 6 months left on the passport, utility Bills showing your current address as proof for Illinois Residency(better on H4 person's name). If you don't have any Utility bills on H4 person name take utility bills on your name and keep Marriage certificate handy(though they might not ask)
When you go for Drive test make sure the H4 person has insurance on the car they drive. They are asking for a Insurance card on H4 person's name. but if you don't have time. Ask you insurance guys to fax those cards to you. would also be advisable if they can issue a letter that H4 person is an added driver on the card(though not compulsory just as a proof). Thats what I did and it worked for me. Finally a lil bit of freedom for H4s
Best of Luck

[talkative]

Some enterprise-rent-a-car locations rent cars based on learners permit + home country drivers license. I rented a car, purchased liability, collision and personal accident insurance offered with the car rental. This was sufficient to get past the insurance requirements when I took the test many years ago.

[Karlshammar]

Thanks for the good idea, talkative.

Most of them will actually rent based on a home country driver license only - that's how tourists rent cars, and the insurance you get with the car will be enough for the DMV.

Originally Posted by talkative

Some enterprise-rent-a-car locations rent cars based on learners permit + home country drivers license. I rented a car, purchased liability, collision and personal accident insurance offered with the car rental. This was sufficient to get past the insurance requirements when I took the test many years ago.

[talkative]

thanks. i indicated the permit because one is not supposed to use home country license once a US drivers permit has been issued. so best get the car based on the permit, at least the time of going to driving test - if they won't rent on permit only, then have somebody with a license rent it and add your name + permit license number as an additional driver. i think an authorized driver gets all coverage of the purchased rental car insurance

[moooonwalker]

[Karlshammar]

Were your immigration documents just issued? In that case, they simply might not have been entered into the computerized verification system and the DMV might be able to do it a few days later.

I wouldn't know how long the DHS takes to respond. Back in '01 when a friend of mine applied for a DL in California, it took about 8 months, but that was before the online verification systems so the time should be considerably less now.

Originally Posted by rahulp1

Hi,

We went to Driving License Facility. We had passport, I-94 valid for 1+ year, utility bill, car insurance proof. All seemed OK till they started entering info in computer. They said they can not retrieve any info on computer for my spouse so they would have to request Dept of Homeland Security for more info. We as well as DMV will receive a letter from Homeland Security Dept for the next step in 5-10 days.

I am not concerned about the letter from Homeland Security Dept. It must be a glitch on their part which caused the info to not appear. My concern is how long do they take to respond to such queries by Driving License Facility. We were told by DMV that it should take 5-10 days (I wouldn't put too much faith on their words). Sometimes you do everything right and still face situations like this.

If anyone has faced this scenerio, please advise.

Thanks
Rahul

[moooonwalker]

Originally Posted by rahulp1

Hi,

We went to Driving License Facility. We had passport, I-94 valid for 1+ year, utility bill, car insurance proof. All seemed OK till they started entering info in computer. They said they can not retrieve any info on computer for my spouse so they would have to request Dept of Homeland Security for more info. We as well as DMV will receive a letter from Homeland Security Dept for the next step in 5-10 days.

I am not concerned about the letter from Homeland Security Dept. It must be a glitch on their part which caused the info to not appear. My concern is how long do they take to respond to such queries by Driving License Facility. We were told by DMV that it should take 5-10 days (I wouldn't put too much faith on their words). Sometimes you do everything right and still face situations like this.

If anyone has faced this scenerio, please advise.

Thanks
Rahul

I believe i read somewhere it should take approx less than 1 month to get the records entered. try one more time sometimes your wifes name should have been entered wrong. Also those who take the information at the counter are all new. i guess they are pretty new to this job at Chicago facility. those at rockford are little knowledge full.

[mjadala]

Hi,

We went to Driving License Facility. We had passport, I-94 valid for 1+ year, utility bill, car insurance proof. All seemed OK till they started entering info in computer. They said they can not retrieve any info on computer for my spouse so they would have to request Dept of Homeland Security for more info. We as well as DMV will receive a letter from Homeland Security Dept for the next step in 5-10 days.

I am not concerned about the letter from Homeland Security Dept. It must be a glitch on their part which caused the info to not appear. My concern is how long do they take to respond to such queries by Driving License Facility. We were told by DMV that it should take 5-10 days (I wouldn't put too much faith on their words). Sometimes you do everything right and still face situations like this.

If anyone has faced this scenerio, please advise.

Thanks
Rahul

Hi all,
We had the same experience in Springfield, IL a few days ago.
We are waiting for the letter from Dept of Homeland Security.

Thanks!

[implied]

My wife went to the state id(IL) office yesterday, they said she need a SSN. I knwo this is not possible, she went to the SSN office where they gave her a letter of denial. Anyone know how to convince the state id office that H4 dont get a SSN and can still get a state id. I think in their list of documents its the type C document which is missing. List of docs reqd-link below:
http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/de...ptable_id.html

Any ideas anyone ???

Thanks.

[niruas78]

Hi rahulp1 and mjdala...

did ur spouses get a license yet? or are you still waiting on the letter from Department of Homeland Security? whats the deal... why cant they just simply issue a license...
please let me know.... thanks!

[Shwank]

Originally Posted by rahulp1

Hi,

We went to Driving License Facility. We had passport, I-94 valid for 1+ year, utility bill, car insurance proof. All seemed OK till they started entering info in computer. They said they can not retrieve any info on computer for my spouse so they would have to request Dept of Homeland Security for more info. We as well as DMV will receive a letter from Homeland Security Dept for the next step in 5-10 days.

I am not concerned about the letter from Homeland Security Dept. It must be a glitch on their part which caused the info to not appear. My concern is how long do they take to respond to such queries by Driving License Facility. We were told by DMV that it should take 5-10 days (I wouldn't put too much faith on their words). Sometimes you do everything right and still face situations like this.

If anyone has faced this scenerio, please advise.

Thanks
Rahul

Hi Rahul,

I will be applying for a TDL soon.

How soon after ur spouses arrival to the U.S did you apply for the TDL ? and has she rcd the TDL after all the delays ? (Was it 5 to 10 days as told by the DMV or was it longer?)

Regards,
Shwank

[mjadala]

Hi all,
We got the letter from DMV saying that we got the clear from immigration services...to go ahead with the application.

So, we went to the DMV for the written text....

got the instruction permit..

[callmesangee]

Hi,

Iam currently in H4 visa in Illinois. I have taken the written test in Rockford centre in Illinois and obtained the driving permit and will be taking the road test soon.

Can somebody, who has taken up road test before, give me tips regarding the same.Heard that they never issue License at the first attempt. is it true?

[thrix]

Originally Posted by callmesangee

Hi,

Iam currently in H4 visa in Illinois. I have taken the written test in Rockford centre in Illinois and obtained the driving permit and will be taking the road test soon.

Can somebody, who has taken up road test before, give me tips regarding the same.Heard that they never issue License at the first attempt. is it true?

I got my driver license in NYC at my first attempt!

[moooonwalker]

Originally Posted by callmesangee

Hi,

Iam currently in H4 visa in Illinois. I have taken the written test in Rockford centre in Illinois and obtained the driving permit and will be taking the road test soon.

Can somebody, who has taken up road test before, give me tips regarding the same.Heard that they never issue License at the first attempt. is it true?

Well i Don't think thats true. if you can drive well you will get your license in First attempt. try driving on roads around the drivers facility before you take your test. be careful when you shift lanes. also don't go under speed or over speed. under speed can also be the reason for denial. when making a left turn make sure you yield. these are some of the key things you need to make sure you are good at. Also make sure you use the indicators when you turn left or right. best of luck!!

[rsushma]

this is news to me....i didnt know that it is possible to get driver's lice..in H4 visa....as there is no SSN.so you guys say that license can be got even if one is in H4 and has no SSN ?

If so what are the procedures ? or which link should I look at ? I stay in Kentucky.

[talkative]

Originally Posted by callmesangee

Can somebody, who has taken up road test before, give me tips regarding the same

Get the point scoring sheet from somebody who took the test earlier. It'll tell you exactly what they look for, and how many points each mistake costs you.

(I don't know if they give the sheet in IL - but I definitely remember the DMV person going over the sheet with me)

[moooonwalker]

Originally Posted by rsushma

this is news to me....i didnt know that it is possible to get driver's lice..in H4 visa....as there is no SSN.so you guys say that license can be got even if one is in H4 and has no SSN ?

If so what are the procedures ? or which link should I look at ? I stay in Kentucky.

rsushma, This is only for H4 Visa holders in Illinois.

[moooonwalker]

Originally Posted by talkative

Get the point scoring sheet from somebody who took the test earlier. It'll tell you exactly what they look for, and how many points each mistake costs you.

(I don't know if they give the sheet in IL - but I definitely remember the DMV person going over the sheet with me)

They don't give the sheet in Illinois But i looked at the sheet and thts how i found out some important points.

[anup73]

Went to Rockford, Illinois three times. Here is my experience:

On day1 I carried SSN denial letter from local SSN office, passport, rental agreement, husband's utility bills. Worked fine as I took the test and passed it and got the permit.

On day2 I went there on a Saturday @9am. DMV was open between 8am-noon.They refused to take the drive test as there were too many pple for the drive test that morning.

On day3, another Saturday I went there @7:30am before they opened and stood at the queue outside DMV.I showed the same docs as I did on day1. They denied me to take the test as the SSN denial letter was more than 30days old! Funny as they never said that before and this strange rule was mentioned nowhere. The woman ws rude, her language was too hrsh.No use of argueing with her, I came home.

Preparing for day4...
Is Chicago West better place?
My insurance company (American Family) denied to include me in the insurance when I only have the permit.

Anyone knows which rental company will rent my husnbd a car and let me be added to the drivers' list with full insurance?

[moooonwalker]

see my response in red

QUOTE=anup73]Went to Rockford, Illinois three times. Here is my experience:

On day1 I carried SSN denial letter from local SSN office, passport, rental agreement, husband's utility bills. Worked fine as I took the test and passed it and got the permit.

On day2 I went there on a Saturday @9am. DMV was open between 8am-noon.They refused to take the drive test as there were too many pple for the drive test that morning.We faced the same issue. YOu need to be in line early. they normally close the drive tests early. this is the same case every saturday

On day3, another Saturday I went there @7:30am before they opened and stood at the queue outside DMV.I showed the same docs as I did on day1. They denied me to take the test as the SSN denial letter was more than 30days old! Funny as they never said that before and this strange rule was mentioned nowhere. The woman ws rude, her language was too hrsh.No use of argueing with her, I came home.
Yes the one at the front desk are rude. hardly respects others feeling. you need to have SSN Denial letter not older than 30 days. I have read it on the Website. I had to take this letter twice once for learning permit and drive test and other for renewal of license within 6 month due to extension of visa
Preparing for day4...
Is Chicago West better place?
from our personal experience I wouldn't advice chicago west. staff is not knowledgeable and its near to downtown so driving is tough. though i stay in chicago i drove to rockford to get license. license got denied when my wife took drive test at chicago west facility. the examiner asked her to take parallel parking on a busy road when someone is backing. inspite of she doing a better job he rejected. the sorrunding area isn't that good either.
My insurance company (American Family) denied to include me in the insurance when I only have the permit.I had geico and they had no problem adding her to my insurance. neither did my insurance was bumped up by adding her

Anyone knows which rental company will rent my husnbd a car and let me be added to the drivers' list with full insurance?[/QUOTE]
I doubt if rental companies would let you drive the car on Temporary license. if you have IDL you have yourself added as secondary driver on rental car

Best of luck and let us know your experience for others

[avithani]

Hi Rahul,
My wife is also trying to get a temp DL. Our experience with Chicago West facility has been really bad. They are very strict in the driving test, dont even accept one single mistake during test. Plus the roads are really congested and bad in that area.

We are going to go to Rockford next time. Although its far, the temp DLs are issued on saturday also, unlike Tue-Fri at Chicago West.

My advice: avoid Chicago West if you can.

Good luck
AV.

Originally Posted by rahulp1

Hi,

We went to Driving License Facility. We had passport, I-94 valid for 1+ year, utility bill, car insurance proof. All seemed OK till they started entering info in computer. They said they can not retrieve any info on computer for my spouse so they would have to request Dept of Homeland Security for more info. We as well as DMV will receive a letter from Homeland Security Dept for the next step in 5-10 days.

I am not concerned about the letter from Homeland Security Dept. It must be a glitch on their part which caused the info to not appear. My concern is how long do they take to respond to such queries by Driving License Facility. We were told by DMV that it should take 5-10 days (I wouldn't put too much faith on their words). Sometimes you do everything right and still face situations like this.

If anyone has faced this scenerio, please advise.

Thanks
Rahul

[MICHAELINIL6061]

Hey!
I went to the bank and wanted to open up a checkingaccount and they told me that I couldn't do that since I didn't have a SSN, so they typed a letter for the SSN adminastration what the purpose was for and 3weeks later I had my SSN and then u can do whatever u want, go and get a drivers licence etc but u need a SSN in most situation in America if u r gonna survive, legally or illegally!
That's my best advice!
Good Luck!

[mjadala]

Originally Posted by MICHAELINIL6061

Hey!
I went to the bank and wanted to open up a checkingaccount and they told me that I couldn't do that since I didn't have a SSN, so they typed a letter for the SSN adminastration what the purpose was for and 3weeks later I had my SSN and then u can do whatever u want, go and get a drivers licence etc but u need a SSN in most situation in America if u r gonna survive, legally or illegally!
That's my best advice!
Good Luck!

Hi,
which state and city was this in and when was this.
I am asking because the rules are so different from one place to another and chnage over time.

Thanks

[MICHAELINIL6061]

I did it in NYC