Obtaining Your New York Driver’s License

You must have a NYS driver’s license to drive in New York if you become a resident of New York. You have 30 days to surrender your out-of-state license and apply for a NY license at your local New York DMV office.

Age To Drive In New York

You must be 18 or older to receive a “Class D” driver’s license in NY, or age 17 with successful completion of a driver’s education program.

Proof of Identity and Date of Birth

You are required to show proof of identity and date of birth to receive your NY driver’s license. A list of acceptable documents can be found online here or within the $CSLINK, which is recommended.

New Drivers: Obtaining Your License

To apply for a non-commercial drivers license in New York you must follow these steps:

Apply for a learner’s permit, pay the application and driver’s license fee and pass the vision and written test. The easiest way to pass the written test is by studying the manual and reading the $CSLINK.

Practice for your road test and take a driver’s education course
Make an appointment with the NY DMV office near you to take your road test
Pass your road test and receive your NY driver’s license.

Where Can I Make An Appointment For My Road Test?

You can make an appointment online by clicking here

Moving To New York: Obtaining Your License

Residents to NY have 30 days to apply for a New York State driver’s license and surrender their out-of-state license. You can exchange your license if it has your photograph and has not been suspended or revoked. It also must be valid for at least 6 months, expired in the last 12 months or be a valid CDL.

The date of issuance must be on the out-of-state license. If the data is not on the license, you need a letter from the originating state with that information.

If you have a suspension on your license, it must be removed before applying for a New York driver’s license.

Steps To Exchange Your License

Complete application form MV-44 and visit your local DMV Office
Pass a vision test
Surrender your out-of-state driver’s license
Provide at least two points of ID and DOB, as listed here or within the $CSLINK.
Show a valid social security card or letter from the SSA with your social security number
Pay the $10 application fee with cash, check, money order or credit card

You cannot exchange the following types of driver licenses for a NYS driver license:

a driver license with no photo
a driver license that does not show the date that the driver license was issued. Read the information about the requirement that your driver license show the date of issue.
a learner permit
a temporary driver license or an interim driver license
a hardship driver license or an “employment only driver license”
a driver license expired for more than 12 months
a non-commercial driver license valid for less than 6 months.
a driver license marked “non-renewable” or “non-transferable”