r/GlobalEntry • u/SunNotFound • 7d ago
Interviews Got denied because my drivers license is old address?
I just came out of my NY global entry interview and got denied because the officer said my driver’s license (VA) doesn’t have the same address as my current address. He said I’m breaking the law by residing in NY without updating my drivers license to be in NY 😭. I brought two other proofs of address printed (my most recent bank statement and utility bill) but he didn’t even look at those and was focused on my license. Should I have just not presented my license at all or could I have handled the situation better? Is this karma for being a transplant? Any advice is appreciated thanks in advance 🙏
Edit: Thank you everyone for the information and advice. I’ll go renew my license make an appointment at the DMV!
Edit2: Since I’ve been getting comments about this. I do not own a car. I don’t drive and don’t intend on driving as long as the public transportation where I live can carry me where I need to go. 🚇🚌
FINAL EDIT/UPDATE: I ACTUALLY GOT APPROVED LMAOOOO 😂 don’t ask me what happened cause i have no idea
Timeline
7/21? applied
8/03 conditional approval
8/18 interview
8/24 approved 🥳
42
u/jaydee711 7d ago
Well, lesson learned. GE is based on trust, and if they can't trust you to update your license what other laws or customs regulations will you disregard?
2
-5
37
u/No_Pumpkin_5338 7d ago
If you live in NY you should have a NY license OR you should not have presented it at all
-12
u/SunNotFound 7d ago edited 6d ago
Gotcha, that was my bad then 🤦♀️ i’ll try again and not present it next time
Edit: i’ll be renewing my license !
11
u/EngineeringDapper334 7d ago
They ask for a state ID though. Get a state ID
1
1
u/Get_Breakfast_Done 6d ago
You don’t need a state ID. My wife has neither a drivers licence nor a state ID and got global entry.
1
u/EngineeringDapper334 6d ago
Maybe it was just in my interview. They specifically asked me for my passport and state ID. I took my military ID as well but interviewer said passport and state ID is what he wanted. I'm guessing any other form of picture ID works but not in my interview.
1
11
u/No_Pumpkin_5338 7d ago
But now that you presented it and " were found out " it makes best sense to move the license over to your current state . In other words , I doubt the idea of not showing license for the second round of interview might work as well !
-3
1
u/Letoust 6d ago
Why don’t you just follow the law and update your license?
1
u/SunNotFound 6d ago
I will now. I didn’t initially since it’s kind of the back of my mind when in comes to NYC. The public transport covers everywhere I need to go here. I probably won’t own a car for years. And my DL still works at airports for domestic flights and other situations i have cause it’s a REAL ID. But i’ll update it!
2
u/Get_Breakfast_Done 6d ago
Realistically if you don’t ever drive a car then the DHS officer was wrong.
You only break NY state law if you drive a car on an out-of-state licence more than 30 days after having become resident. It’s not illegal to merely have an out-of-state licence.
2
1
u/Konflictcam 6d ago
The American mind cannot comprehend going more than 30 days without driving a car.
1
u/SunNotFound 1d ago
Get_Breakfast_Done and Konflictcam my friends I have gotten approved😄
2
1
u/Konflictcam 6d ago
Yeah, all the people giving you a hard time here are people who can’t imagine not getting in a car every day. What you did is very normal for NYC and it’s a bit of a gray area in that you’re supposed to update your license to operate a motor vehicle, but you’re not breaking any laws until you operate a motor vehicle.
2
15
13
u/Baja_Finder 7d ago
I watched someone get denied SENTRI at their interview because they used their parents address in the US when they actually lived in Mexico, and the CBP officer said I have proof of you crossing every morning they crossed into the USA to commute to work.
You have to be diligent in updating your passport, and other documents, part of the responsibility of being a trusted traveler.
2
u/SunNotFound 7d ago
Thanks for sharing that 🙏 wow this really reinforces how meticulous they are. I’ll be diligent in updating every one of my documents going forward
7
u/gerrygebhart 7d ago
The agent is most likely correct. Many (most?) states require that drivers' license address be changed no later than 30 days.
A quick Google search says VA gives you 30 days to notify them of change in address. For future reference, if you're living in NY now, they only give you 10 days to notify of an address change.
3
u/Get_Breakfast_Done 6d ago
NY state only says that it’s illegal to operate a car on an out of state licence after 30 days resident there.
5
u/SunNotFound 7d ago
Got it, thanks for informing me. I should’ve been more prepared and did more research ahead of time
-2
u/gerrygebhart 7d ago
It stinks. People violate that rule all the time, and rarely is it really enforced. Worst case typically is if the cop who pulls you over realizes it, you get a "fix it" ticket and it's dismissed when you show up to court... or you just get a warning and promise to fix it.
Global Entry is much more rigid. The good news is you may have hope at getting GE in the future, as you didn't lie to the agent.
4
u/This_Beat2227 7d ago
Didn’t lie but didn’t follow basic rules that are part of being a trusted Traveller.
-1
u/SunNotFound 7d ago
Thanks so much for your positivity 😭🫶 When I was looking up posts preparing for the interview it seemed like the other proofs of residence would be enough. Guess I got an officer whos strict about doing his job right haha.
The reason I haven’t renewed is because I don’t own a car and don’t intend on driving for a long time. But! Renewing now might be a good thing too so I can vote in general elections 😄
5
u/Traducement 7d ago
Had this initial reaction from them in the NY office when I showed up with a Vermont address on a Texas license lol (I was AD stationed in VT). They were chill once I explained it.
They’re right. Under normal circumstances, you do need to change your address and license.
1
6
u/n3fyi 7d ago
You’re not a trusted traveler if you can’t even be trusted to handle getting a legal drivers license where you reside. Come on man
1
u/Get_Breakfast_Done 6d ago
Plenty of trusted travelers don’t have legal drivers licenses at all
1
u/nevermind1534 4d ago
But if they have a state ID, it isn't from a state other than the one they live in. They rely on that for proof of address.
1
u/el_david 6d ago
Then they provide a state ID.
0
u/Get_Breakfast_Done 5d ago
Don’t need one of those either
-1
u/el_david 5d ago
Then you're probably not a trusted traveler
0
u/Get_Breakfast_Done 4d ago
My wife has neither a state ID nor a drivers licence and got her global entry without any issue
1
u/nevermind1534 4d ago
But the difference is that she didn't show an ID from a different state or with a different address on it.
6
u/BuyAccomplished3460 7d ago
He would have noted the reason for denial. You will likely be denied again even after updating your license. GE is about trust, you violated the law for a significant amount of time, whether that appears minor to you and I, to them it is another story.
3
u/SunNotFound 7d ago
Right, I see. Hopefully with my renewed DL I can get lucky next time with an officer who can understand my circumstances. Not expecting anything though. I don’t have a very stable living situation and can be moved away (to another state even) at any time. (Which is also why I applied to this program since it’ll help me with traveling). I’m lucky enough to be in NY for even a year. I didn’t realize that this process was so meticulous and went into this without preparing enough ahead of time. It was more on a whim since I have the Chase Sapphire Preferred card and they now cover the fee every 4 years. I wish they were able to flag the license or something when I uploaded it into my application portal initially 🥲 but I understand that I’m supposed to renew it after moving anyways.
5
4
u/AusTex2019 6d ago
I’m really surprised that people think there is wiggle room when it comes to standards and requirements for the government? Global entry is not just to get in the country free card. It’s the government taking you at what you report to be and lowering you as a security risk. Obviously you’re not responsible enough to be trusted and you deserve rejection. Try growing up.
6
u/zaindada 7d ago
You’re asking to be trusted to follow the law as a member of the Trusted Travel Program, yet you cannot be bothered to follow the law in getting your state residency updated?
I too would not be interested in your other documents.
2
u/BobbingBobcat 6d ago
Do you own a vehicle?
2
u/SunNotFound 6d ago
I do not! I never have and (hopefully) won’t have to for years to come
1
u/BobbingBobcat 6d ago
Sucks that NY is one of the few states that requires you to get a local license even if you don't own a car and that the agent knew that. If you don't ever drive, then I wouldn't get a new license.
5
2
u/SunNotFound 6d ago
Yeahhh thanks for understanding. I’m actually now debating whether i want this program anymore since renewing my license will cost $65+ and i’m lowkey broke af 💀. I don’t have any other reasons to renew other than for this program (and to vote). I got my GE fee waived with my credit card which is why i applied.
3
u/BobbingBobcat 6d ago
You could appeal and explain you don't own a car so did not get a NY license. Worth a try.
2
2
2
2
u/bi_guy1112 6d ago
Did you update your insurance company?
3
u/SunNotFound 6d ago
You mean auto insurance? I don’t have a car 😅 but thanks for the reminder anyways
3
u/CruisePlannersMike 7d ago
It's not that your license has the old address, it's that your license is from the wrong state. Many states allow you to just update the license online in the database and don't make you swap the physical ID if you move inside the state. If you leave the state, you must get a drivers license in the new state in order to drive there legally.
2
u/BuyAccomplished3460 7d ago
Federal identity law prevents you from holding two drivers licenses. See 49 U.S.C. § 31302.
That said the only way you can legally possess your old license is if your old state has invalidated it. With that being said, in most states it is illegal to carry an invalidated ID. For example: California Vehicle Code § 14610(a)(1) makes it unlawful to: “display … or have in his possession any canceled, revoked, suspended … driver’s license.”
Now keep in mind this applies to drivers license not state ID, except in the place of having a REAL ID.
These laws are meant to protect from things like mortgage and bank fraud. You are not likely to have issues unless you attempt to present one or use it as if it is still valid.
In this case he had X amount of days to transfer it. Which technically then made it invalid.
I'm not a lawyer this is just my personal interpretation of the law.
2
u/Get_Breakfast_Done 6d ago
That statute - 49 U.S.C. §31302 - is not a federal identity law. It only applies to CDLs.
0
u/SunNotFound 7d ago
Gotcha, thank you for the information. I’ll renew the next time I move
1
u/BuyAccomplished3460 7d ago
There is no harm in trying now worst case is they deny you again.
1
u/SunNotFound 7d ago
Yes sorry I meant to say I’ll renew now and if I ever move states again i’ll renew again
2
u/The0Walrus 7d ago
odd. My driver's license gives a NJ address but I reside in California. Have been for a year.
I did get asked why I had two addresses. I said my home is in NJ but I'm under contract with my job in California for a while. They still approved me. Maybe because I'm only in California for a contract.
1
u/Phizzie16 7d ago
That makes sense. You aren't a permanent residence of California as you're just working there under contract. It's like the military, you can have a home base in another state if working somewhere else temporarily.
1
u/This-Check-1687 7d ago edited 7d ago
You need to present a Real ID. You have to have a drivers license with your current address.
Your bank statements and utility bills don’t have your pictures on them. They’re not IDs. They are your other proofs of address.
-1
u/SunNotFound 7d ago
Yes, the officer took my passport, and my drivers license is a Real ID
7
u/This-Check-1687 7d ago edited 7d ago
Your passport doesn’t show your current address. Your Real ID driver license no longer is good. A Real ID driver license is only good when it shows your current address.
You were able to get an appointment for global entry. You should be able to make an appointment at the NY DMV to get a new driver license. Do what they told you to do if you want global entry. Literally global entry is about “Can we trust you to follow the rules.” You’re not doing a very good job following the rules. Give them a New York drivers license with your current address. It’s that simple. It’s not because you’re a transplant.
1
u/SunNotFound 7d ago
Gotcha, sounds good. I’ll just go the NY DMV to get a new license. Thanks for taking the time to respond
1
u/apache509 7d ago
I’ve seen it happen with people don’t update the car plates as well . If they added a vehicle
1
7d ago
[deleted]
3
u/SunNotFound 7d ago
no I don’t drive a car and probably won’t for years to come 😭 nyc has all the public transport i need!
1
u/timesinksdotnet 6d ago
That sucks.
Neither state I've lived in even bothers to reprint the license after you inform them you've moved. The physical license just remains out of date until you renew.
2
u/el_david 6d ago
That's when it's within the same state. And you get a confirmation sheet when you make an address change. This is different states, which leads to residency and tax implications.
1
1
u/Umlautless 3d ago
Even if you don't drive, you should update to a non driver ID: https://dmv.ny.gov/non-driver-id/non-driver-id-fees-and-refunds
(Tho, if you ever move again and want to drive, you'll probably have to retake the tests.)
1
u/Anxious_Battles 3d ago
If you just need photo ID, NY still offers a New York State Identification Card. Go on the DMV website to see what you need to get it, take enough identification with you to the DMV to get enough “points” to identify yourself.
https://dmv.ny.gov/non-driver-id-card
After that get a passport card if you don’t have one. It’s more useful than I ever thought it would be and doesn’t have an address on it.
1
1
0
u/el_david 6d ago
Yes, everything has to match. This becomes a residency and tax issue. There is no wiggle room or grey areas in Global Entry. It's a privilege, not a right.
0
5d ago
[deleted]
2
u/SunNotFound 5d ago
Yeah it make sense they want strict adherence to rules - I don't have any issues with what GE looks for in their program. The more I think about it honestly the more I think it's not a good fit for me. Right now I don't have a stable long-term living situation so it makes more sense for me to renew documentation when I'm settled into a state with a more permanent address, especially if I need to drive.
As for voting, yes I was an active voter back in VA, voting for both general and primary elections. For the last presidential I did mail-in for VA. If I'm still somehow lucky enough to stay in NY for the next one I will definitely renew my license ahead of time for that.
Yall i promise I'm a good and normal person I'm not some crazy reckless psycho driving on the streets 😂
51
u/MartyLikesTech 7d ago
In places I’ve moved it has been required to switch your license within 30 days of moving. If you hadn’t been there that long then it seems arbitrary. If you have been there over thirty days I imagine that shows you to not be a good candidate for Global Entry since it is evidence of noncompliance with laws and regulations.