Newbie_Aussie

Hi,

How can a E-3 visa holder and his wife on E3D can obtain California Driving License.I have valid Australian Driving License, wife have Australian Learner Permit.We dont have documents like I-797. I am working in California but exactly what documents DMV California may require (E-3,I-94,bank statement).When I was in VA DMV there asked me to show I-797 or medicare card as proof of work authorization (and to prove two forms of ID/primary and secondary) therefore I was unable to undergo testing there.
Any Aussie have any experience or any driving instructor they can recommend?Do I need to undertake road sign and written test too or it will be only driving test?

DMV California website is very confusing and therefore I am asking for live experience.

Thanks,

Mummy in the foothills

This is a list of acceptable ID's
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/dl/dl_info.htm#BDLP

I took in my UK passport, (with a visa in it) my social security number card, and that was about it. Oh my MIL was with me she's scare anyone in to compliance.

Newbie_Aussie

I asked this question because not everybody have US Military ID card or US gun license or US court order or US Birth certificate.Some time there require two ID like in VA there they asked me for I-797. I dont have any I-797 on E-3 visa.

augigi

Well, then, pick the things you DO have! Jeez. Take your passport, I-94 and social security card. You probably have a payslip too.

E3only

Newbie,

I think you are making everything sound so difficult. I am not in US but changed 2 countries and yes although there are difficulties - generally everywhere you can explain your situation, get as much docs as you have.

No country (western anyway) is so rigid. Youa re not the only one on E-3, people have managed it.

You always make reference to h1 visa, how E3 is shit, how you have to travel to get E3 renewed, how they dont pay for your travel etc etc.

I suppose most of this - I know without having E-3 which means you would have known it before you went on the visa type...

IF you dont like it....leave ???

meauxna

Your boss probably has yours.

Havnfun

I just got my California Driver's License. I took in my Canadian passport which has my L2 Visa and my SSN. My son who does not have a SSN took his Canadian passport (and L2 Visa) and his Canadian driver's license.

Newbie_Aussie

Yes true in US things are actually difficult because its not our home Australia.US have the largest task force of immigrant and its a country who have been taking in large amount of migrants since many years. Perhaps US is still taking far more migrants then Australia and therefore the immigration rule/conditions are more rigid.

Yes people have managed but everybody go through different circumstances and different situation in life.Even inside US every state have different list of acceptable ID required for driving license.

Yes in my personal opinion H1 is a better visa because of current economic situation.In US lay off rate and unemployemnt is currently high.The reason behind H1 being favourite around the world is its AC21 portability and premium processing.

Spouse EAD on E3D is secondary stuff because the first and the more important thing is you have to maintain your own E3 status which is not quickly possible without the change of employer (in case of layoff on E3 visa).

To leave the place is always the last option but to practically jump into the battlefield for a fight is far more interesting and challenging.

Chrissywissy100

Dont panic Newbie! I completely agree, DMV website is rubbish! For you and your wife, just take all ID documents you do have. Passport and visa stickers, and social security cards are what they are looking for, first and formost. And if you wife isnt yet legal to drive, dont worry, enither was my husband. she can get a learners permit, and take some lessons and pass here.

You will both need to do an eye test, and the written theory test to get your provisional / interim licences before you do your practical tests, which you will both need to do to get your licences. Study the california divers handbook first for the written test. The practical is easy peasy, my husband only had one lesson with an instructor and I took him out for practices 3 times a week for 4 weeks, then he passed first time!

And if you think your wife wont pass too quickly, then probably a good idea to get her an ID card from the DMV at the same time as applying for her learners permit. costs about $30 though, but saves her carting around her passport.

Samuel

In 99 in lived in CA and had a friend visiting on a 6mo tourist visa - we went over to social security admin (we heard rummors that some states were granting them for such a purpose) and asked for ssn# for him - the admin issued a doc addressed to dmv (it was a boilerplate form) indicating that he did not need the ssn# and that the passport was sufficient. DMV accepted the docs and he got the license. This was a bit ago (and pre 9/11 security awareness uptick).