How to Apply for a Driver License in the USA
Obtaining a License to Drive as a US Resident
Sep 11, 2009
A person can only apply for a driver license in the USA, once US residency has been established; most new immigrants to the US will have to wait several months to obtain the relevant documentation from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and/or the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) before obtaining a driver license.
Visitors on vacation to the USA are not required to have a driver license issued by a US state; in most cases, a driver license from a foreign country, and/or an international driving permit (IDP) ,will suffice. There may be different regulations for students and temporary visitors to the US, regarding the validity of foreign issued driver licenses in the USA, so it is advisable to find out more before entering the US.
Where to Apply for a Driver License in the US
There is no such legal document as a USA driver license; a driver license in the USA is issued by an individual state and consequently it is a state driver license which a US resident needs to obtain from the state in which they are residing. However, each individual state driver license is valid for driving in other states in the US, although if a US resident moves to another state, it will be necessary to obtain a new driver license for that state.
Each state has different requirements for obtaining a driver license, so it is advisable to contact the local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to find out the application procedure to apply for a driver license in a particular state; in addition, state residency requirements vary from state to state and some states may class a US resident as a 'state resident' if, for example, a business is located there, or the US resident spends a lot of time in that particular state.
Types of Driver Licenses in the USA
Before applying for a driver license in the USA, it is necessary for a US resident to determine the type of driver license needed. The most common driver license issued in the US is the passenger vehicle license but other types of driver licenses include those for operating a truck, motorcycle and moped.
General Guidelines for Applying for a Driver License in the USA
Although each individual US state has different requirements for applying for a driver license, there are some general guidelines which apply to the majority of US residents obtaining a driver license. US residents who do not currently hold a driver license for a US state will be expected to take both a written and practical (road) test, in addition to meeting the standard vision requirements.
A fee is also payable when applying for a driver license, and will be determined by the state in which the driver license is applied for. However, before taking any test for the driver license, a US resident will have produce various documents to prove US residency and personal identification.
Documents Required When Applying for a Driver License in the US
The following list is a guideline of documents required when applying for a driver license; however, for specific state requirements for a driver license, check with the state in which applying for the driver license. Documents include (but are not exhaustive):
- proof of US residency – is now required to obtain a driver license in the US; examples of US residency include Form I-551 (green card) and/or other Department of Homeland Security/United States Citizenship and Immigration Services documentation verifying US residency
- proof of identification and age – original or certified copies from the issuing agency verifying identification and age, including photo documentation. Each state will issue a list of acceptable documents for an application for a driver license
- provision of a social security number - most states will now ask for a valid social security number, or proof of ineligibility for a social security number, when applying for a driver license.
Successful Application for a Driver License in the USA
Once a US resident has completed the application for a driver license, established residency and eligibility for a driver license, paid all relevant fees, and has passed the necessary tests required by the state issuing the driver license, the US resident will receive a state driver license, which is valid for driving throughout the USA. The state driver license will contain personal information including a photo, personal statistics, date of birth, a driver ID number and expiration date (dependent on state).
For further information:
Contact the local state Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
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