Notice of Action after filing for AOS?

Our lawyer is mailing out our paperwork and they said it can take a few weeks prior to hearing anything back from the USCIS. I’ve been in the US on an H1B and have a drivers license (DC) that expires when my visa does. I’m wondering if a NOA / I797 will be issued once USCIS receives the documents or do you only get one once it is approved. I asked the paralegal at the lawyers office but he didn’t really give me straight answer. I’m really hoping not to loose my ability to drive while I’m waiting for things to come through.