Trouble with CA driver's license renewal (i-797c)

[jonathan1251]

Hi, I'm a college student with F-1 visa, and I'm having

a trouble with the CA driver's license renewal. I used to have E-2, so I could have

my original license without any problem (E-2 expired on August 25, 2009 as I turned

21). I should've worked on switching E-2 to F-1 couple months earlier, but I started

changing my status with my lawyer couple weeks before my 21st birthday instead.

Here comes the problem: it takes 2~3 months to actually get the I-20, and my CA

driver's license expired on August 24, 2009. I heard that I could renew my license

with the I-797C, a notice of action (receipt), that I received a few days ago.

So I went to the DMV, and all they were saying was "bring your legal document."

I tried to explain I-797 is a legal document and I'm in the process of getting a new

visa, but they repeated the same thing over and over.

If I'm in the middle of switching my visa, and already received the notice of action,

can I renew my driver's license? maybe a temporary one at least so I drive to school

with my car?

Thank you.

[nousername]

Try to visit another DMV in a nearby city.

Originally Posted by jonathan1251

Hi, I'm a college student with F-1 visa, and I'm having

a trouble with the CA driver's license renewal. I used to have E-2, so I could have

my original license without any problem (E-2 expired on August 25, 2009 as I turned

21). I should've worked on switching E-2 to F-1 couple months earlier, but I started

changing my status with my lawyer couple weeks before my 21st birthday instead.

Here comes the problem: it takes 2~3 months to actually get the I-20, and my CA

driver's license expired on August 24, 2009. I heard that I could renew my license

with the I-797C, a notice of action (receipt), that I received a few days ago.

So I went to the DMV, and all they were saying was "bring your legal document."

I tried to explain I-797 is a legal document and I'm in the process of getting a new

visa, but they repeated the same thing over and over.

If I'm in the middle of switching my visa, and already received the notice of action,

can I renew my driver's license? maybe a temporary one at least so I drive to school

with my car?

Thank you.

[kondur_007]

I do not know the difference between I797C and I 797. As far as I know, "notice of approval" (form I 797) with attached I 94 is considered "acceptable document" for CA DMV.

Ask for the supervisor and they may know this.

If your I 797C is actually different from I 797 (or it does not have I 94 attached), they will not renew your license as they are just clerk to "follow the rules" written in the book.
In that case, contact your congressman (local senator or House representative) and they MAY be able to help. This is an ongoing problem in most states and no one has come to a solution...