How to Obtain a Driver's License in New York

You can drive in New York State if you have a valid license from another country or another state. Follow these steps to obtain a driver's license in New York State.

Things You'll Need

• Vehicle in good mechanical condition
• Verification of insurance
• Driver Education Student Certificate of Completion (MV-285)
• Pre-licensing Course Completion Certificate (MV-278)
• Application for New York Driver license (MV-44)
• New York Driver's Manual
• Social Security Card
• Proper documentation

Instructions

1. Obtain and study a New York Driver's Manual. You can read the Driver's Manual online and take practice quizzes, or you can get the manual from your local Department of Motor Vehicles office or DMV Call Center.

2. Refer to the Driver's Manual for the documents and the forms you need to apply for your license.

3. Apply for a learner's permit. Pay the application fee and the driver's license fee. Pass the vision test and the written test. Receive your permit. This can be done in one step.

4. Practice for your road test.

5. Take a driver education course, or a DMV-approved pre-licensing course.

6. Use your driver education certificate or pre-licensing course certificate to make an appointment for your road test by phone or on-line.

7. Pass your road test and receive your New York State driver license.

Tips & Warnings

• You are not required to take the written test if you have form MV-285 (Driver Education Student Certificate of Completion).

• If this is your first driver's license, you must take a pre-licensing course or driver education course before you can make a road test appointment.

• Based on your vision test results, you may be required to wear glasses or contact lenses when driving.

• An oral test will be given on request (an appointment may be required).

• If your out-of-state license has been valid for less than six months or expired more than one year ago, you also must pass the written and road tests and complete the safe driving course.

• If you are a new resident licensed in a country other than Canada, you must pass the vision, written and road tests, complete the safe driving course and turn in your foreign license.