Because you are waiting on a pending extension, your ability to get a driver's license right now depends on the state where you live. Federal REAL ID rules require a valid nonimmigrant status, but 20 states and Washington, D.C. have laws that offer access to state driver's licenses regardless of immigration status.

A DMV may issue a REAL ID driver's license or identification card only to a person who has presented satisfactory evidence of lawful status.

Lawful status: A person in lawful status is a citizen or national of the United States; or an alien: lawfully admitted for permanent or temporary residence in the United States; with conditional permanent resident status in the United States; who has an approved application for asylum in the United States or has entered into the United States in refugee status; who has a valid nonimmigrant status in the United States; who has a pending application for asylum in the United States; who has a pending or approved application for temporary protected status (TPS) in the United States; who has approved deferred action status; or who has a pending application for lawful permanent residence (LPR) or conditional permanent resident status.

To establish identity, the applicant must present at least one of the following source documents: (i) Valid, unexpired U.S. passport. (ii) Certified copy of a birth certificate filed with a State Office of Vital Statistics or equivalent agency in the individual's State of birth. (iii) Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) issued by the U.S. Department of State, Form FS-240, DS-1350 or FS-545. (iv) Valid, unexpired Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551) issued by DHS or INS. (v) Unexpired employment authorization document (EAD) issued by DHS, Form I-766 or Form I-688B. (vi) Unexpired foreign passport with a valid, unexpired U.S. visa affixed accompanied by the approved I-94 form documenting the applicant's most recent admittance into the United States.