Driving with international driver’s license is only permitted during your first 3 months of residence in the United States. If you plan to stay longer than 3 months you must apply for a New York State Driver’s license. The process is time consuming and can take several weeks so start early.

• Steps to obtain a NYS driver’s license:
• Apply for learner’s permit
• Pass a vision test and a written test
• Take a DMV approved pre-licensing course
• Pass a road test

Applying for a Learner’s Permit
The first step in obtaining a valid NYS Driver’s license is applying for a Learner’s Permit (you must be over the age of 16 to drive in New York State). You will need to visit the Department of Motor Vehicles and apply in person at your convenience (appointments are not necessary). Plan to arrive at least 1 hour before the office closes to allow enough time to complete the process. During this first visit you will take a written exam and a vision exam, submit a completed Driver’s License application form and present several forms of identification. The total fee for obtaining a Learner’s Permit and a Driver License is about $140 ( it depends on the exact age on the date of your application ) and can be paid in cash, personal check or credit card.

Application
You will want to prepare for your visit in advance to ensure that the process goes as smoothly as possible. The Driver’s License application form, the MV-44, can be found online at (http://www.nydmv.state.ny.us/forms/mv44.pdf). You can also request to have it mailed to you by calling 1-800-225-5368.

Written Exam
To prepare for the short written exam of 20 multiple-choice questions, review the New York State Driver’s Manual, also available online at (http://www.nydmv.state.ny.us/dmanual/default.html) or at your local DMV office. You can also request that the Driver’s manual be mailed to you by calling 1-800-225-5368.

Eye Exam
You will also need to complete a basic eye exam during your first visit to the Department of Motor Vehicles. Be sure to bring any necessary prescription eyewear (glasses or contact lenses).

ID Requirements
The Department of Motor Vehicles requires that you bring several documents to demonstrate your identity. Each type of document is allocated points, for example a foreign passport is worth 3 points. You must collect a total of 6 points to apply for a Driver’s License.
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ID Required

Passport (3 points)
Social Security Card (2 points)If you don’t have a Social Security Card you must bring a letter from the Social Security Administration indicating that you are not eligible for a SSN.
US Employment Authorization Card (3 points) INS I-688B or I-766 with a photo.
Utility bill (1 point) it must include your name and address
Bank Statement or, US Credit Card Or Cash Card (1 point) it must be in your name
An Employee ID Card or a payment stub (1 point) it must be in your name
Supermarket Check Cashing Card (1 point) it must have your signature and pre-printed name
ealth Insurance Card (1 point) it must be in your name

Take a DMV approved pre-licensing course
Before scheduling a road test you must attend a mandatory pre-licensing course. These 4-5 hour courses are given by local driving schools and cost about $35-$50. Several local driving schools provide this service. Please see the telephone directory under “Driving Instruction” to find the school nearest you. Upon taking the course you should receive a Pre-licensing Course Completion Certificate.

Schedule a Road Test
The final step is taking a road test. You can schedule a road test online or by telephone. Both systems use the same data base of available appointments. You can access the Online Road Test Schedule System ( www.nysdmv.com/roadtest ) or you can access the telephone Road Test Scheduling System by calling 518-402-2100. You will need to supply the car (it does not have to be your own car) for your road test. Make sure that the car you use has the appropriate registration, inspection stickers and insurance. You will need to ask a friend with a valid NYS Driver’s License to accompany you to your Road Test. Bring your NYS Learner’s Permit, at least one form of ID and the Pre-licensing Course Completion Certificate.

You will be given a temporary license upon completing your driver’s test. Your NYS Driver’s license with photo ID will be mailed to you.

Department of Motor Vehicles
224 So. Pearl St
Albany, NY 12202
Tel: 518-486-9786
URL: http://www.nysdmv.com

Hours: M, T, W & F: 8:30am - 4:00pm
Thursday: 10:00am - 6:00pm