A person operating a motor vehicle with a fraudulent driver's license is subject to arrest. Once the RMV converts your driver's license, you will receive a temporary photo-imaging driver's license. This is valid for 30 days. You will receive a permanent driver's license in the mail. International driver's permit issued by governmental agencies or private organizations designated by a country's government are the only official translation of a person's driver license. Our international driver's permit translation has no official status and does not confer any legal privileges or rights to consumers.
Find out the steps to get your drivers license, pass your DMV written test, replace your out-of-state license and the required paperwork to bring to the DMV office to get your driver's license.
All applicants need to be familiar with the New York Driver's Manual. Think you know the material? Take our DMV practice test now and test your driving knowledge.
You must be at least 16 years of age to apply for a New York Drivers License.
If this is your first driver's license, you will need to apply for a New York learners permit which requires a written exam on traffic signs, motor vehicle laws and safe driving techniques.
Once you receive a valid instructional permit, you will then need to pass a road skills test and vision test to receive an NY provisional drivers license.
Rules on learner's permits and Junior Driver's Licenses differ depending on the area of New York State in which you live. Make sure you understand the restrictions based on your area of the state.
Applicants under 18 must have held a learners permit for 6 months and must have logged at least 50 hours of supervised driving (15 at night and 15 recommended in moderate to heavy traffic) before taking the road skills test.
All new drivers are encouraged to study for this driver education exam so you don't miss the opportunity to get your learners permit as soon as you reach the approved age. Online practice tests are available that provide real sample questions from the DMV Exam - Take the New York practice test now and test your driving knowledge.
New residents with an out-of-state license must obtain a New York driver's license within 30 days of establishing a permanent residence in NY. When heading to the DMV, be sure to bring the license from your former state as you will be required to surrender it in order to obtain the new license.
There is no written exam or road skills testing required to change a valid out-of-state license to a NY driver's license, however you will need to pass the vision test.
If your out-of-state driver's license is more than 12 months expired, you will be required to apply for a license as a new driver and pass all required testing.
NYS recognizes your foreign driver license if you remain a resident of the nation that issued the license. You do not need to have a NYS driver license to drive in NYS unless you become a resident of NYS. After becoming a resident of the State, you'll be required to convert to a New York license. If you have a driver license from any nation except Canada, you must and pass a written test, complete a 5-hour pre-licensing course and pass a road test to qualify for a NYS driver license.
Before you head to the New York DMV Office, make sure you have all of the following required documents to get your driver's license:
Once your licensing requirements have been met, you will receive your new:
Remember.. the safe operation of a vehicle requires practiced skill, knowledge, and a respectful understanding of the limitations imposed by the other drivers and the environment.
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Passing the New York written exam has never been easier. It's like having the answers before you take the test.
Whether you have recently moved to New York or you are a new driver, you are probably anxious to get your driver's license right away.
This page will guide you through the steps required as an adult to transfer or obtain your initial driver's license with the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (NYSDMV).
NOTE: This page is dedicated to adult first-time drivers. If you are a teen driver, please visit our page on Teen Driver's Licenses in NY.
New York REAL ID Driver's License
The New York DMV issues federally-compliant REAL ID driver’s licenses in addition to non-compliant licenses. As of October 1, 2020, only the REAL ID will function as federal identification for domestic travel and entry into federal and military buildings—a standard license will not after this date. Enhanced licenses in NY are automatically REAL ID-compliant.
You have the choice to apply for a non-compliant license or upgrade to a REAL ID license—we'll walk you through the requirements below. For more detail, visit the NY DMV's guide to REAL IDs.
Find all the information you need to finish your moving requirements with the DMV.
If you've recently become a resident of New York, you must obtain a NYS driver's license and surrender your out-of-state license within 30 days of establishing residency.
The NYSDMV allows new residents to transfer an out-of-state or Canadian license UNLESS it is one of the following:
* If the issue date is not on the license, you may request a driver license record or letter from your previous state. The record/letter must be from the state that issued the license and must show the issue date. The record/letter must have been dated within 6 months prior to the date you submit it to the NYSDMV and must be an original copy.
Your license must meet the above requirements AND must meet ONE of the following requirements:
If you are eligible to transfer your out-of-state or Canadian license, you can take the following steps to apply for your new NYS driver's license:
Once you've taken all the above steps, the NYSDMV will issue you a temporary, non-photo driver's license. Your permanent license will be mailed in about 2 weeks.
*If your eye doctor is enrolled in the DMV Online Vision Registry, your test results will be electronically submitted, and you will not need the form.
New York has the following full, noncommercial driver's licenses:
If you need another type of driver's license, check out the following pages:
If any of the following apply to you, you'll need to follow the steps to apply for a new driver's license in New York:
*If you are under 18 years old or are planning to upgrade a junior license to a regular license upon turning 18 years old, please see our page on applying for a teen license in NY to learn all about the Graduated Driver's License requirements.
Applying for a new license in NY involves 3 basic steps:
If you are getting your license for the first time in New York OR you do not qualify to transfer an out-of-state or foreign license (see “New to New York?' above), you must EITHER:
Learn more about each of these options in our Driver's Ed in New York section.
Regardless of which course you take, your certificate must be valid on the date that you schedule your driving test (although it may be expired on the actual date of the test).
If you have a valid license of any other class in NYS, you do not need to take one of the above courses. MV-285 certificates are valid 2 years from issue date; MV-278 certificates are valid 1 year from issue date.
All New York drivers, regardless of age, must obtain a learner's permit UNLESS you're a new resident who qualifies to transfer your out-of-state license.
To apply for your learner's permit:
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If you pass your written permit test and meet all of the above requirements, you'll receive a learner's permit. The exact date of expiration is based on your birthday and date of issue.
For more information on learner's permits in NY, please visit our
Before applying for your full NY driver's license, you must first:
If, at this point, you wish to upgrade a non-compliant permit to an enhanced or REAL ID driver's license, you'll need to bring additional proofs of identity and/or residency. Review the required documents listed above for a refresher.
When you have both your valid permit and your certificate of completion from a driver's education or pre-licensing course, you can schedule your road test online or by phone at (518) 402-2100. When you go to schedule your test, be prepared with your:
Tests are generally taken a few weeks from the date the appointment is scheduled.
On the day of your driving test, check the DMV website if you are concerned about the weather conditions. Plan to arrive early to your scheduled time and be sure to bring your:
The vehicle you use for testing must be registered and inspected.
The fee is $10 for 2 tests (they only come in pairs). If you wish, you can pay online.
If you passed your driving test, you'll be issued an interim driver license you can use until your permanent photo license arrives in the mail.
NOTE: Every new driver is subject to a probationary period of 6 months. During this period, which starts at the date you passed your road test, you can have your license suspended for certain violations. Learn more by reading the DMV brochure on this probationary period.
Once you've received your new driver's license, make sure you meet NY liability insurance requirements before you begin driving.
Unless your license is from Canada, you cannot transfer a foreign license for a NYS driver's license. You must apply for a new license if you become a resident of NY. If you do not plan on becoming a resident, the DMV does not recommend getting one because your foreign license is valid as long as you remain a resident of the country that issued your license.
If you do become a resident, you must apply for a new driver's license within 30 days. You will need to:
Read above for more information on applying for a new driver's license in New York.
*The New York DMV will destroy your foreign license 60 days after you surrender it. If you know you'll need it when you return to your home country, ask the road test examiner how to ensure they won't destroy it. You can retrieve your license at the DMV office that issued your NYS license.
If you were issued a driver's license by the US Armed Forces, you can use that license to drive legally in NYS for 60 days. After that, you need a valid NYS driver's license.
You cannot transfer a military license, so you'll need to apply for a new license. Read above for steps to applying for an original license in New York. Essentially, you'll need to:
NOTE: If you are a dependent of a military member, you cannot use a military driver license to legally drive in NYS for any amount of time.
• Having a modern processor with SSSE3 support is a must in the system for the proper functioning of the emulator.
This form is provided by your state's agency/department.
Please select one of the below to continue: