₦airaland Forum

Walspring:
So shall it be in the name of the Father and the Son and of the Holy Spirit... Amen

Make sure you invite me for celebration when it's time.

bigfrancis21:
I recently converted my Nigerian drivers license to the US one and having a Nigerian license helps you to skip having a learner's permit first before the actual license if you didn't have your out of country license and you were applying as a fresh driver. I was actually in Virginia yesterday where I bought my new car from a dealership. I obtained mine in Maryland, and Virginia and Maryland being border states I guess the process will be similar. As one who's converting their out of country license, you would first take the 3 hour drug and alcohol class, take the test and pass it. You can take the class online at your convenience and whenever you're ready to take th test, go to the nearest drug and alcohol test center near you and take the test. They charge about $50 or so to take the test but you'll only pay after you've passed the test. You'll be given your certificate valid for 1 year from the date you passed.

Next you go to the nearest MVA near you for the online skills test. You'll need your original SSN card, proof of address here (if you have a bank account, you can print out one of the monthly account statements bearing your address, that should work), proof of lawful status (your I-20, I-94, etc.), proof of identity (your international passport) etc. Make sure you go with all required documents. Also, is your drivers license the original one? As in straight from Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) Nigeria that bears the embossed seal of FRSC? If not, it may be rejected because when it gets to your turn the official will check it for originality. So many Nigerians I know that tried to convert theirs got their cards rejected because their licenses were not original. They had to apply as new drivers. However, mine was accepted because it's the original one from FRSC. To prepare for the online test there's a driving manual which usually can be downloaded from online at the MVA's website which you'll need to study for the test. Here in MD, you'd need to get at least 22 questions out of 25 correct to pass. About 50% pass and 50% fail the test at first attempt. After you pass the online skills test, the final step would be scheduling your drivers road test appointment. Right there at the MVA you would schedule a date for the actual road test. There's also walk-in for the road test if you don't wanna book a date but getting tested on any given day you go to the MVA is not assured due long queues of other walk-in candidates.

Any which way, before your drivers road test, be sure to go to a driving school near you to have them brush you up on your driving skills. Driving in the US is totally different from driving in Nigeria. There's a lot that you won't know from driving in Nigeria that applies to driving here and small things like that can make you fail your road test. Some schools charge like $70 for 2 hours and they'll brush you up and prepare you on what to expect on that day and they can also drive you to the MVA on your test day assuming you don't have a car of your own. Note this: driving to the MVA in a driving school's car helps you a lot as it shows your examiner that you have gone through necessary US driving lessons. Or you can have a friend drive you to the MVA with their own car but you must have had someone brush you up on your driving skills for the US. This is very important. Please do not skip this critical aspect of the process. Some schools may be booked up for the entire month but you can always ask them to refer you to any of their drivers personally that could do the same for you. In case you're unable to get a school or driver, let me know and i'll refer you to the driver that prepared me for my road test. The guy is extremely good.

After you pass your road test, then you can pay for your drivers license back at the MVA and it is usually processed immediately right there and given to you. Or if it's going to be mailed to you, they give you a temporary one to use. Congratulations on getting your drivers license! Remember, driving in the US is a privilege not a right.

I passed all my tests at first attempt starting from the 3 hour drug and alcohol test to the online test to the road test. They are not hard once you prepare for them.

Safe driving in the US. Don't drink and drive! Watch out for those crazy drivers and make sure you get your car insurance with full coverage, not liability only, for a new driver to the US especially for your first 6 months of driving here.

I just confirmed at https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/drivers/#eligibility.asp, scroll down to New Residents. The process for MD I just outlined above is the same for VA, except for the 3 hour drug and alcohol test part. Looks like you don't need it for a VA license, just go straight to the MVA/DMV. Let me know if you have any questions. Goodluck buddy.

anikemoses:
2 months u say?u better prepare before coming down,because VA is one of the expensive states in US,the rent is so expensive that about 5 guys share a 2 bedroom apartment...Prolly there might be someone here that can assist u thoh,this is just my personal experience in VA.

profojah2:
Wale Omo aye!!.. Ki lon shele?. Otipegan Padi mi..
Happney65, Oya je kon mo.. Ori e gum sibe padi mi toh sure..

Congrats to all those who got their visas!. Ori gbogbo yin wanbe.. SirRiddy, Bobority, Dicapino, you guys are next. We await your testimonies..

Walspring:
So shall it be in the name of the Father and the Son and of the Holy Spirit... Amen

Make sure you invite me for celebration when it's time.

mikky4all:
Good day guru's in the house. Am a first class graduate of soil science and land management interested in studying a Msc environmental science or PGD environmental engineering in USA. Had a toefl score of 83. Can anyone suggest to be schools that doesn't require GRE that can fulfill my academic thirst. Comments will be well appreciated. Fall2016

fizzile:
Minnesota State University, Mankato doesn't require GRE for Environmental Science. The only challenge u will face is that u must register with educationusa nd they will mail the school to inform them that u have registered.

mikky4all:
Good day guru's in the house. Am a first class graduate of soil science and land management interested in studying a Msc environmental science or PGD environmental engineering in USA. Had a toefl score of 83. Can anyone suggest to be schools that doesn't require GRE that can fulfill my academic thirst. Comments will be well appreciated. Fall2016

Holudarey01:
Bros, fall 2016 is late.

mikky4all:
Hmnnn. What abt winter intake then

mikky4all:
Good day guru's in the house. Am a first class graduate of soil science and land management interested in studying a Msc environmental science or PGD environmental engineering in USA. Had a toefl score of 83. Can anyone suggest to be schools that doesn't require GRE that can fulfill my academic thirst. Comments will be well appreciated. Fall2016

mikky4all:
Thanks for the info bro, the registration is like how much and will I still have to pay for application fee.

mikky4all:
Hmnnn. What abt winter intake then

profojah2:
Wale Omo aye!!.. Ki lon shele?. Otipegan Padi mi..
Happney65, Oya je kon mo.. Ori e gum sibe padi mi toh sure..

Congrats to all those who got their visas!. Ori gbogbo yin wanbe.. SirRiddy, Bobority, Dicapino, you guys are next. We await your testimonies..

kaykad:
Thanks bro..

Currently undergoing my Drivers license permit in Virginia, steps taken so far:

1. You must have read and understood all road sign and symbols, you can find in on the site: https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/dmv%2Dmanuals/#/manual/1/section/2/subsection/2.1

2. visited a local DMV office around you; mine was in Fair Oaks Mall office in fairfax, look for the closest DMV center around you

3. Document to bring along: SSN card, statement of account from your bank, i-20 form, your international passport, international Drivers license, school ID card, sevis i-90 form

4. You will be required to fill out a form and do eye test

5 you will then be directed to write the online test, if you pass you will be given a note for the actual physical driving test.


When you get there you will be directed by the security attendant

Best of luck, please note this is for Virginia

bigfrancis21:
Drive safe and watch out for those crazy drivers.

Dapsey66:
Good morning Nairalanders, sorry wasnt able to post what i term as the shortest interview ever yesterday but I am taking time out to do that now. it took max 45 seconds but I really wasn't counting just I was in and out of there in a twitch.

My interview was for may 6, 11am but my visa was approved at around 10 ish. After the rigorous process of standing in line and bio metrics, interview goes thus. The VO was a man in his early thirties... didnt even notice what number was on the window.
Congratcbro,please do you have any travel hisory
VO : step forward please
ME : Good morning sir
VO : pass me ur passport
ME : Passed everything including SEVIS receipt and i-20
VO : just your passport pls.. At this point i thought I had been too forward and was about to pay for it. every answer in my head vanished
VO : requests for i-20 and sevis then says So you are going to Touro College in Manhattan, NY
ME : Yes I am
VO : Did you apply to any other schools?
ME : yes sir, 2 other schools
VO : types for a few seconds... Your visa has been approved........... and I went deaf the rest of the time he talked

still cant comprehend how and why God favored me that much cos it is unmerited but I am grateful. Really dont know much people on this thread but special thanks to ashbammy, dickoflife, Ife (cant remember ur handle so we know each other on first name basis) your interviews are coming up and I pray and trust in God that they will be as easy as mine or easier. Thanks to all nairalanders. God bless you all for the help you are rendering to the lots on here.

dickoflife:
emi na tan.. A whole me.. My head is swelling like bravarian cucumber... I feel like to cucumbate.. Wait what does that word mean sef?

gunther6:
Olodo rabata o so Bavarian to 'bravarian' .... 'Cucumbate' baa? I wan see your TOEFL scores.... Dey come WhatsApp joor

Walspring:
Big boss, I don't know if you are the person that posted few weeks ago about trading dollars to naira in a cheaper exchange rate.

brawnmoney:
Let Somebody Shout Hallelujah!!!
I really thank God for Nairaland, and it's citizens.

Looking back to all the years spent on this zone, it was never wasted,
I got my Visa on Monday March 7,(07:28am) 2016, and landed in Los-Angeles on March 28 2016.
I spent my Easter on Emirate, and I was welcomed by a smooth breeze of 7-MPH.

I can't remember most of the questions and answers cos they're all here, but I remembered vividly the lady said to me:

C.O.N.G.R.A.T.U.L.A.T.I.O.N.S!

I felt like David killing Goliath that day. I'm giving God Almighty all the Glory(Hallelujah)
My best advise for anyone chasing this dream is to commit everything to God, and request
information from legit citizens of Nairaland loba-tan!


Feelfree to add me!

Walspring:
I can't remember her handler but I will ask her when I hear from her or check my follow list..

Try and remind me tomorrow or send me pm.

fizzile:
Minnesota State University, Mankato doesn't require GRE for Environmental Science. The only challenge u will face is that u must register with educationusa nd they will mail the school to inform them that u have registered.

Ishilove:
If he can drive in Nigeria with all those insane danfo drivers then I'm preeeety sure he will be fine

imperiouxx:
Craziness on Nigerian road is with no rules whereas craziness on U.S road is with rules. A crazy driver might win a lawsuit filed against you. So if he's not careful, he might end up paying for what was initially initiated by a crazy driver and his license in jeopardy.

Ishilove:
Odikwa risky. In that case let him anoint his head so that the Nigerian spirit will not cause his cup to overflow

Holudarey01:
Spring you meant?
Depends on the size of your pocket. Most schools have limited funding for spring. I dunno schls without GRE for environmental science but with your first class, a good GRE score can land you a PhD program

brawnmoney:
Let Somebody Shout Hallelujah!!!
I really thank God for Nairaland, and it's citizens.

Looking back to all the years spent on this zone, it was never wasted,
I got my Visa on Monday March 7,(07:28am) 2016, and landed in Los-Angeles on March 28 2016.
I spent my Easter on Emirate, and I was welcomed by a smooth breeze of 7-MPH.

I can't remember most of the questions and answers cos they're all here, but I remembered vividly the lady said to me:

C.O.N.G.R.A.T.U.L.A.T.I.O.N.S!

I felt like David killing Goliath that day. I'm giving God Almighty all the Glory(Hallelujah)
My best advise for anyone chasing this dream is to commit everything to God, and request
information from legit citizens of Nairaland loba-tan!

Holudarey01:
brawnmoney, who u epp?