New Policy for Expiration Date on Driver's License

CWH

CWH

Active Member
I just want to share with you what I just got myself into, so that you will not make the same mistake. I got my DL with the expiration date in 2023, but I wanted to get a Real ID so that I could take domestic flights with the Real ID DL. Had I known that the new policy was implemented recently, I would have waited until my DL expires to renew with a Real ID DL. I was told that they would use the expiration date on my EAD card (which was the only option for me to use in Group 1: Proof of Identity, DOB, USC/LPR) as the expiration date on my real ID DL instead. So my real ID DL's expiration date was shorted for almost 2 years. That was not the only downside because I would have to renew my EAD card at least 3 months prior to the expiration date. I would need to have the actual card on hand to renew my real ID DL. If I decided to wait until the end of the expiration date of the EAD card in order to take the 180-day automatic renewal extension, I would not be able to drive during those months until I got the card. Or I could use the I-797C the receipt letter for the EAD card renewal to renew my real ID DL for another 6 months. I would have to keep paying the $30 renewal fee each time, whether it be during the 180-day automatic extension, or 2-year EAD card validity!

If you are not flying, don't get the real ID until you have to!
 
CWH said:
I just want to share with you what I just got myself into, so that you will not make the same mistake. I got my DL with the expiration date in 2023, but I wanted to get a Real ID so that I could take domestic flights with the Real ID DL. Had I known that the new policy was implemented recently, I would have waited until my DL expires to renew with a Real ID DL. I was told that they would use the expiration date on my EAD card (which was the only option for me to use in Group 1: Proof of Identity, DOB, USC/LPR) as the expiration date on my real ID DL instead. So my real ID DL's expiration date was shorted for almost 2 years. That was not the only downside because I would have to renew my EAD card at least 3 months prior to the expiration date. I would need to have the actual card on hand to renew my real ID DL. If I decided to wait until the end of the expiration date of the EAD card in order to take the 180-day automatic renewal extension, I would not be able to drive during those months until I got the card. Or I could use the I-797C the receipt letter for the EAD card renewal to renew my real ID DL for another 6 months. I would have to keep paying the $30 renewal fee each time, whether it be during the 180-day automatic extension, or 2-year EAD card validity!

If you are not flying, don't get the real ID until you have to!
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Any reason why you don't use your national passport for identity purposes?
 
@msv5450 that is what I thought exactly!

@CWH assume you have a pending asylum case? Therefore, nothing holds you back from renewing your national passport. Why don't you do that? This also depends on the nature of your case, but generally speaking, BEFORE asylum is granted, no body should ask you questions regarding you renewing you national passport.

+ You don't need a valid visa and I-94 to fly around the US...even going to Hawaii! You are already here....visa/i-94 are only required if you are coming from abroad.
 
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7of9 said:
@msv5450 that is what I thought exactly!

@CWH assume you have a pending asylum case? Therefore, nothing holds you back from renewing your national passport. Why don't you do that? This also depends on the nature of your case, but generally speaking, BEFORE asylum is granted, no body should ask you questions regarding you renewing you national passport.

+ You don't need a valid visa and I-94 to fly around the US...even going to Hawaii! You are already here....visa/i-94 are only required if you are coming from abroad.
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You misread it. I didn't say anything about a valid visa and I-94 to fly. And yes, I didn't renew my passport because of my asylum case.
 
i have another advice it may not apply to you but for anyone who has an asylee status and have not gotten thier GC yet .
when you apply for driver license try not to show them your work permit show the i-94 card with the asylum stamp on it . every state is different some are strict ,

-my first drive license in the Us was in California i was an asylum seeker back then and lost my wallet that had my license my home country , i only had to do a knowledge exam and i was given 5 year regular driver license , this is before California has a real ID

- then moved to Nevada , the validity of driver licenses for non citizens are based on the validity of their immigration document , i gave them just the i-94 card and not the work permit , i got a 5 year Real ID driver license, had i shown them the work permit i would have got an ID with a validity of a year and half

- still have not received my GC , i moved to another state in the Midwest i don't to name , they were strict and i had to wait 4 days for them to check my status with USCIS , and they only give an ID with one year validity> hopefully ill get my GC so i don't have to pay for a driver license every year
 
This is really good advice. It's actually the same for work. The EAD is useless, your job will keep checking you every 2 years. Show them the I-94 + DL. I-94 has no expiration, so they don't have to keep re-checking you for work authorization.
 
zman44 said:
This is really good advice. It's actually the same for work. The EAD is useless, your job will keep checking you every 2 years. Show them the I-94 + DL. I-94 has no expiration, so they don't have to keep re-checking you for work authorization.
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i do not even show my work the i-94 , just my driver license and SSN card .

with some agencies you might get a hard time having only the i-94 , last year the US Department of health canceled my application for health insurance because their employees are bunch of idiots because they could not verify my i-94 . in a situation like that having the work permit is helpful
 
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