Holliver

Yay, went for my interview today, got approved. Just waiting for my passport to be returned before I fully celebrate.

Want to say thanks to everyone who helped me with my questions and offered their experiences which really helped me with my application.

But I feel like this is only the first part- which it is, but I feel like a lot of people seem to think once this is done everything is ok, which is why I'm now thinking about the next step - what do I have to do when I get to the US? (end of March).

I can apply for my SSN about 10 days after entry, right?
We're planning on getting married in June, after I get married I can apply for AOS, right? But I can start preparing the documents, right?
I'm so confused about getting a California driver's license, but I'll do a bit more research on that myself.
How about bank accounts? I need a SSN to be able to open a bank account.

Sorry, I'm just thinking out loud about stuff. The main point was - Thank you for your help so far

Tokyo-Joe

Good stuff. Congratulations from a Tokyo veteran.

My wife opened an account at Wells Fargo Bank with her passport and without a SSN. The bank staff assured me that this was not a problem, but that interest earned on the account(s) is subject to 30% tax withholding until you supply SSN/ITIN.

As always, your mileage may vary.

Holliver

Thanks for the info

henryh

It's at least vastly more difficult, if not impossible, to get a driver's license in CA without an SSN. So just get your SSN ASAP, and go to the DMV afterward.

Michael

Do you currently have a UK or Japanese drivers license (with English translation international drivers license)? If you do, normally California will issue you a 90 day temporary license after you pass the written test. You can just walk into any DMV and take the test without an appointment. Then you can schedule an appointment for the road test anytime during the next 90 days.

However the temporary license is not always automatic that the DMV will issue you the temporary license and you may have to ask for the license. If you don't get the temporary license, you will only have a drivers permit until you pass the road test which requires a licensed driver to be with you so make sure you get the temporary license.

The following is the California DMV handbook that has all the information needed to pass the written test.

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/hdbk/driver_handbook_toc.htm

Holliver

Ah thanks for the info. I got so confused when I looked on their website. Yeah, I've got a British driving license. I'll try that then.

Michael

Apparently even if you fail the road test, you still get to keep and use the temporary license and you can schedule another appointment for another road test. Also some people even got 2nd and 3rd temporary licenses because they were too lazy to schedule the road test.

jeffreyhy

"Adults Visiting California
Visitors over 18 years old with a valid driver license from their home state or country may drive in California without getting a California driver license as long as their home state driver license is valid."
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/hdbk/driver_handbook_toc.htm

Regards, JEff

Holliver

Oh right, but I thought I was becoming a California resident once I get married?

If I can use my English license does that mean I don't need to do any California driving test? Just get car insurance?

lisa67

As you've pointed out, you won't be visiting, you'll be a resident.

Holliver

So what does that mean with regard to me getting a license? That's why I got so confused.

Noorah101

It means you will need a California license.

Rene

Holliver

Ok, that's what I originally thought. The DMV website is well confusing.

Tokyo-Joe

You are supposed to get a California license within 10 days of becoming a resident.

Holliver

Yes, that's the part which confused me, when do I become a resident? I'm planning on moving to the US early April, but not getting married til June. At which point (up until) can I use my English license and when do I have to get the Californian license?