If you have a license from your home country, you do NOT have to get a New York State driver license.
You can drive in New York State using your country’s license (the rules may be different in other states!)
CIP recommends:
Always carry your passport while driving. A foreign driver license is not a valid form of identification in the United States.
We recommend obtaining an International Driving Permit (IDP) from the issuing authority in your country, especially if your license is not in English. Be careful, there are many online scams offering “international licenses,” so please make sure to obtain an official IDP. You MUST carry your foreign driver’s license with you in order for your IDP to be valid.
If you are to stay in the US for over a year, we highly recommend that you obtain a New York State Driver License.
If you have a driver license from another US state or Canadian province, you must exchange it for a New York State Driver License within ten days of registering your address with SUNY New Paltz. Drivers who have Canadian citizenship or permanent residence need not exchange their license.
How can I apply for a New York State driver’s license?
Go to the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles and hand in the paperwork:
Application form MV-44
Your current driver’s license
Show six points of ID (//dmv.ny.gov/node/63)
DMV letter issued by the Office of International Student Programs
What are the six points of ID?
The six points of ID are listed at (//dmv.ny.gov/node/63)
International F-1 / J-1 students must show the following pieces of ID:
3 points = Passport/ I-94/visa/ I-20 or DS-2019
2 points = US college photo ID with transcript
0 points = DMV letter from the Center for International Programs
2 points = Social Security card or letter (if you have one).
OR
0 points = Letter of ineligibility from the Social Security Office
In order to obtain the remaining points for a total of at least 6, students usually show the following pieces of ID:
1 point = US Health insurance card
1 point = Utility bill (gas or electric) if you live off campus
1 point = US credit card or US debit card, cancelled check, or bank statement
3 points = Employment Authorization Document (no letter from International student programs needed in this case)
Note: Each point category may be used only once!
What if I cannot get a Social Security number?
Go to the Social Security office and apply for a Social Security number
The SS office will give you a letter of non-eligibility
Take that letter, form MV-44, and other forms of identification (six points of ID in total) to the Department of Motor Vehicles to apply for a driver’s license
I want to apply for a State ID card
How can I learn to drive in the US?
**PLEASE NOTE: IF YOU ARE A NEW STUDENT, WE CANNOT ISSUE A DMV LETTER UNTIL YOU HAVE BEEN IN THE US AT LEAST 10 DAYS. ONCE YOU RECEIVE A LETTER FROM US, WAIT A FEW DAYS BEFORE GOING TO THE DMV OFFICE**
Social Security Administration
The Social Security Administration Office is located in Poughkeepsie, NY. If you do not have access to a car, you may choose to take the bus to Poughkeepsie. Office hours are between 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM Monday through Friday except legal holidays. If you have any questions, you may contact the Social Security Office directly.
The New York State DMV is now accepting applications for driver's licenses from all New Yorkers, regardless of immigration status! Now any New Yorker, 16 and above, can apply for a standard, not for federal purpose, non-commercial driver's license or learner permit, regardless of immigration status.
All applicants must provide 6 points worth of documents that prove identity, and also prove date of birth and residency. IDNYC can be used as 1 point of proof of identity and also counts as proof of residency. If you have never been issued a Social Security Number, you must sign an affidavit stating that and bring it with you when you apply.
More information about how to apply is available at the NYS DMV website. The NYS DMV also has a tool online to help you determine what documents you should bring.
Once you collect your original documents, bring them with you to the DMV office of your choice. The DMV office can help you from there.
Note that if you have never been licensed, you will first need to pass a knowledge test to get a learners permit. Then, you must practice driving, take a pre-licensing course, and finally pass a road test before you can get a driver's license.
If you have questions about the new driver's licenses law, you can call the New Americans Hotline at 800-566-7636.