Driver license Question

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braveone

Registered Users (C)
This is my first time posting but i've been lurking around since last week. From the time my case started i spend sometimes in the internet looking for every little information. This morning i was searching the board regarding if there was a possibility for someone to obtain a driver license while their case was still pending, the answers i've found came up not so much good but not too bad either. I have my I-485 receipt, and some people have said they were able to get their license with it....well more like renew it. This would be my first time however to try to get a license, so i'm wondering if it only works when you're renewing it. Also i don't have a ss# or EAD, i've just recently started on my case. Can this be a problem? I'm in florida and currently in college. It's really hard for me not being able to drive. It's really depressing.

I would really appreciate if anyone could give me a little more info in this. If it's possible or not to get the license with the I-485 receipt.

Thank you.:eek:
 
I got my license with NOA's, but I think you DO need a SSN to be able to get one. I already had a SSN because F1.

It seems accepting NOA's depends on which state and sometimes which DMV agent you come upon, even though the law says its ok, nevertheless SSN seems to be mandatory.
 
This is exactly what i was afraid about. It seems that you do need a ss#. All The people i read on the board said they had one when they got their license.

And here i thought i finally found something:(

EDIT: by the way, thanks for responding constructus
 
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It is going to be VERY hard to obtain a DL with just your NOA. Even more, nearly impossible to get one without an SSN.

What you can do is: Go to the SSA office and obtain a letter stating that you are ineligible for a SSN, and then take that to the DMV and apply with a license using that letter. Plus your passport and NOA. It is a long shot, but it is about the only one you got without an SSN.
 
I think i read something about that in the forum, and that it actually worked for one person . did you do that too Praetorian?
 
I think this will vary by state. 12 year ago, my mom came here (Texas) to visit on a visa waiver and got her Texas DL a few days after she entered, without ever obtaining a SSN. I'm not sure what exactly we did, but the Texas DPS has information about a Social Security Affidavit that can be used instead. Maybe Florida has a similar provision?
 
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Things have changed since 9/11. Now pretty much EVERY DMV REQUIRES A VALID SSN.

They did not do that for me... I applied for my SSN first (with my GC) and then applied for the DL.
 
Well OP, that's what I thought, and others have also confirmed. Sept 11 has changed a lot of things.

I think NY state is about to let anyone get it even without SSN but I do not know if Florida will follow suit.

Sorry.
 
You can expect states with high rates of illegal immigration (Texas, Florida, California, etc). To have much stricter rules before giving someone an SSN or DL.
 
OK, so I just got done reading the FAQ to obtaining a Florida Drivers License and what you need to bring to get a Florida DL and nowhere does it say SSN is required. It says SSN needs to be provided if one has been issued. As proof, among other things, an unexpired I-94 along with valid I-20 (for someone in F-1 status) are acceptable.

Braveone, why don't you make a trip to your closest DL office and find out, and then let us know! Also, do you happen to have a foreign DL?
 
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OMG Praetorian said illegal. :eek: Brace yourselves for a fun night of debate. Anyway, Praetorian, New York Gov. Spitzer might disagree with you. ;)
 
austriacus said:
OK, so I just got done reading the FAQ to obtaining a Florida Drivers License and what you need to bring to get a Florida DL and nowhere does it say SSN is required. It says SSN needs to be provided if one has been issued. As proof, among other things, an unexpired I-94 along with valid I-20 (for someone in F-1 status) are acceptable.

Braveone, why don't you make a trip to your closest DL office and find out, and then let us know! Also, do you happen to have a foreign DL?
Click to expand...

I guess those things you mentioned are OK only because if you have a valid I-94 with I-20 (f1 student) you are entitled to a SSN which I do not beleive the OP has.

I could have had my DL when I was a student, I just thought that I did not have the need for a DL at that time then got my degree and realized how bad of a decision that was.

Anyway if you have a I-20 your DL will be valid for the duration of your I-20 only.
 
Austriacus i noticed that too when i was checking that yesterday. They didn't say that it is required. i don't have a I-20 though and my I-94 was expired since last year. As far as it is right now My NOA is my only chance here. Someone mentioned in another thread a DMV office in broward, and he said that he got his license there, but he had his ss# though. I think i'm going to check that place tomorrow.

I'm going to pray on it before i go to bed:D...i really need this license. and if it doesn't work i guess i'll just do what my friend suggested me, be patient.:(

EDIT: no unfortunately i don't have a DL from another country.
 
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constructus, you're right that F-1 students are eligible for SSNs, but my understanding is only if they are employed. Back in my days, I walked into the local SSA office and got one the second day I was here, and didn't earn a dime until many years later.

Anyway, braveone, what's your status? Do you have any of the documentation that's listed in the FAQ? It does list I-797 but only in connection with asylum.
 
I've filed three weeks ago for the I-485 and I-765, and i received my receipts just last week. I thought the I-797 is the I-485 receipt since it is written so in the top of the paper. Did i get it wrong?
 
What about H4 dependents. They don't have SSN but many H4 house wives have driving licence. That means we don't need SSN. But we need to show the valid leagal status to get the licence. They will issue until the validity period of time.
 
Constructus, I don't know how you made it through the required collegiate binge drinking without a DL! ;)

Well, braveone your NOA would be your best bet in my opinion. Good luck! Indeed, the I-797 is the I-485 receipt notice, for that matter all receipt notices the USCIS issues will be called I-797. My only comment is in the FAQ the I-797 has to with asylum seekers and refugees.
 
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I got both id and dl in florida with just my passport, noa for i485 and i765, and driver license from my country, expired i94 more than 1yr, i applied for id first, then asked the lady that attended to me if i could apply for license, she said why not as far as i can be issued an id, that i can also be issued a driver's license, so you can get a dl without ssn, the only thing is that they issued a 1yr id and dl, and on it, it said "temporary". Goodluck.
 
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