An L-2 spouse is employment-authorized incident to status, so she may work for the dealership or any other employer once admitted with an I-94 that reflects spousal status. Regulated trades still need a state licence. Children in L-2 status cannot work.
Spousal work permission comes with status; the licence does not
Since the policy change that treated L-2 spouses as authorized to work incident to status, an L-2 spouse no longer needs to wait for a separate employment authorization document before starting, provided her admission record identifies her as an L-1 spouse rather than a child. She may work for the family's dealership, for a competitor or for herself. What the immigration status does not supply is professional licensing: a spouse who is a bookkeeper can start immediately, while one who is an electrician or a nurse must satisfy the state board before practising.
Dependent children under 21 hold L-2 status too, may attend school and may not work, including part-time summer jobs at the dealership. Employers should keep the spouse's payroll and duties clearly separate from the manager's petition so that no reviewer reads her position as part of the L-1A justification. A child who will reach 21 during the L-1A period needs a plan of his own before that birthday.