Alaska Drivers Licenses!

When you come to Alaska, you have 90 days to get an Alaska Drivers License. After arriving in November, the end of the 90 day grace period loomed large on the calendar and we had to take winter driving lessons and pass the driving test. This consisted of a theory test in the local Dept of Motor Vehicles offices, sat at a computer, followed by a practical driving test on the snow-covered roads of Anchorage.

In order to put in the application, you need a US Social Security number, even though we have no intention of using US Social Security. Sylvia had to produce her marriage certificate in order to convince the official that she really was married, and this took a while to get it brought over from UK. We then had to go to DMV and produce our Visa documentation, passport, a utility bill as proof of address, Soc Sec card, proof of passing our theory and practical tests and pass an eye test.

Needless to say, after jumping through all these hoops, we celebrated when we eventually got our US Alaska Drivers Licenses.

In America, the freedom lobby has resisted the issue of identity cards for US residents, so the Drivers License and Social Security card both have a dual role, and you are no one in America until you have both.

Alan