We have been noticing of late that many of our new members seem to have trouble acquiring a US driver’s license within the deadline that is prescribed by the Department of Motor Vehicles of VA, MD or DC. WBFN took the trouble to investigate the matter with the relevant HR personnel at the Bank, and we are glad to be able to share with you the following information.

The backlog that our members are currently facing is a result of the changes in regulations at the State Department. This backlog is now being cleared. If you are a newcomer applying for a driver’s license here are the steps to follow.

PID Number—Apply for it as soon as you arrive

Every staff member of the World Bank Group, who comes to the headquarters in Washington DC on a G-4 visa, is automatically assigned a PID number by the State Department. If the staff member arrives here accompanied by his family members, all of them will be given a PID number at the same time. If the spouse and children arrive at a later date, the staff has to apply through the Bank for their PID number as soon as they arrive. It is not possible for the staff to apply for their PID before their arrival.

How to obtain a Driver’s License

To apply for a driver’s license in the US, a G-4 dependent needs a letter from the State Department. This letter can be obtained through the Bank. To obtain this letter, the Staff member needs first to ascertain that his spouse has a PID number. In case the spouse does not have a PID number, the staff needs to fill in a request for a PID number. Subsequently, the staff can put in an electronic request for a driver’s license at the HR kiosk. It is crucial that the RPID form is filled prior to the request for a state department letter to obtain a driver’s license.

To obtain a Virginia license, you will need to prove (in addition to proof of identity) proof of residence in Virginia and pass a driver’s license test. Please carefully review the DMV website which has details on all licensing requirements. Make sure you have reviewed the DMV’s latest list of valid documentation (DMV 141), which changes all the time.

If you have not been able to meet the Virginia DMV’s guidelines for two forms of identification, the HR Service Center can write to the Richmond DMV requesting assistance on your behalf. The procedures for this can be found in the Benefits pages of the World Bank Group Intranet.