What constitutes one as permanent legal resident in the US?

I have my O-1 Visa (good for three years) and I intend on living in the USA indefinitely. I've already lived here for 3 years on a Student Visa, and now I am thinking of applying for a State Driver's License (since I don't have any government issued Photo I.D.). So, would I be considered a permanent U.S. resident? What would my technical status be?

Permanent resident means exactly that, you have adjusted status to permanent resident using an I-485 (after having your immigration petition approved). O-1 is dual status so your employer would have had to sponsor you for permanent residence.

Under the Real ID Act, there is a compliance regime States have to use when it comes to issuing ID. Unfortunately they are not very imaginative in their interpretation of the rules, so they tend to only issue DLs to aliens for as long as their I-94 is valid.

The snag of course is that your visa might be valid for longer than your I-94 is under certain circumstances, plus certain entry categories don't get an I-94 if you're a Canadian citizen (and the State never bothered to realise that).

AFAIK, only New Mexico and Florida don't do it this way. In those States you just show them your Canadian passport.

Thanks again, Steve, for all your help and wealth of info! That really helps a lot.

You'd only be considered a legal permanent resident after you have completed the adjustment of status and received a "green card".

You don't get any additional immigration status just be getting a state driving license. Resident status for state purposes and for federal immigration purposes are completely different.

Gotcha. Thanks!

A bit off topic, but Washington State doesn't require an I-94 to get a driver's license. You don't even need a passport if you have a foreign driver's license (you do need a bit extra proof in terms of other documents, though).

I'm not sure if Washington state bases the length of your license on your I-94. If so, I won't be using my passport as identification when I'm applying.