Starting Life/Work in US - Tips and Stories

[krisle703]

Hi! i just want to ask if i can apply for a driver's license here in CA.. even if I only have a tourist visa? I feel so helpless I can't go out without my dad-in-law because I can't drive and there's no public transpo either.. I have a non-professional license in Manila and I brought it with me,,, would that help?

[stylista]

You wont get a driving license but you will be able to use your own driving license for a certain amount of time. (Not sure) Or get an international driving permit.

[i_miss_sleep]

Starting Life in US - Tips and Stories:
http://www.femalenetwork.com/girltalk/index.php/topic,169023.0.html

Starting Work in US - as H1
http://www.femalenetwork.com/girltalk/index.php/topic,102731.0.html

Hello Peeps: Both of our favorite topics above are locked. I'm starting a new thread but I'm saving the links above as reference. If any of your questions aren't covered in any of the above links, fire it away in this thread.

[Longhair]

We're going to LA & I plan to meet my friends in a resto when we land in LAX. Any recommendations of a reasonable yet delicious dining place and why? It doesnt have to be exactly in LAX, even 5 to 15 mi away is still ok. TIA

[Inggay]

The California Driver's Manual states that a foreign driver's license can be used in CA as long as it is valid

[chasee]

you can only apply if you have SSN. Use your phil driver's license muna  or better kung meron kang international license

[princess_sarah]

my sister was able to get a drivers license and a CA ID in 2005 without SSN.

[anmar]

You can use your Phil drivers license. Mahigpit na DMV ngayon. You need SSN for drivers license. Pwede kumuha ng CA ID pero yung validity hanggang sa allowed months na binigay ng Immigration kasi titingnan nila yung passport mo.

[chocolatefever]

like what the others have said, you can use your philippine driving license here in CA.  just make sure you have your passport and I-94 with you in case you get pulled over and they ask for it.

[mooncake and leaves]

question: i'm pretty sure about the answer but since lokaret ako, um, the stimulus check given last year isn't taxable, right? tia.

[monsteradelicioza]

You won't need an "International Drivers License" and they won't take it as valid anyway.  The Philippine one is good for your stay.

[i_miss_sleep]

^kelan naman nagbigay ng libre ang feds? kung yung refund nga taxable pa rin. pero di rin ako 100% sure sa sagot ko.

^^ LA means feasting on filipino food for us. Kaya yun lang alam ko. I heard thai bbq is good also. your friends ba are from LA?

[CoolChick]

question: i'm pretty sure about the answer but since lokaret ako, um, the stimulus check given last year isn't taxable, right? tia.

I believe it is taxable. There a part in the tax form that will ask how much exactly did you receive.

[krisle703]

thanks to all who replied!

^ sori for the ignorance, but what is an I-94?

So I guess I'll just use my local license then? Do I still need to inform the DMV that I'll gonna use my ph license to make it legal or I dont have to anymore?

[chocolatefever]

^I-94 is your departure/arrival card...the one you filled out and submitted to immigration.  it's a white card approx 2x3 in., and it should have a date stamped on it, showing until when your stay here is valid

no, you don't need to call the DMV, just have your license and passport with you at all times.  also ask your relatives/friends to give you tips on traffic rules that you should be aware of while driving here.  they are much stricter here when it comes to enforcement, and there are a lot of traffic patrol cars hidden in places you'll never expect.

good luck, HTH!

[mooncake and leaves]

i_miss_sleep and CoolChick: thanks thanks. nalito na ako. however, almost all the sites i've visited say it is not taxable. i also vaguely recall watching in the news before this guy who said that majority of people who filed their taxes early this year had a lot of corrections because they declared their stimulus checks.

[ladymd]

Mga sis, tanong ko lang, how do I apply for a SSN? I'm gonna do residency training kasi in Ohio, and I need a SSN to apply for a driver's license. Dito kasi sa pinas student license pa lang ako. Thanks!

[i_miss_sleep]

^ sis i don't think na mai-issue-han ka ng ssn kase you're only holding a tourist visa. you'd better just upgrade your student license then that alone is valid for you to drive anywhere in US.

^^ sis mooncake, baka nga! yay for Obama.

[ladymd]

^ sis I'll be holding a J1 visa. Can I use a non-pro driver's license ba to drive temporarily in Ohio? I'm moving kasi in CLeveland in June and nase-stress ako about finding an apartment, driving, etc. Thanks!

[i_miss_sleep]

ano ba yung non-pro dl? yun ba yung regular dl? sori nalito ako kung yung pro ay yung license para sa mga truck drivers. never mind, cdl pala yung sa mga truck drivers. so yung non-pro ay yung student dl mo?

will you be renting a vehicle? isa rin kase sa mga requirements ay regular dl and credit card.

wala ka bang kakilala sa ohio?