Living
Driving Licence
In New York, if you are a first time driver or coming from another country (except Canada), you must take a written test and a road test. These tests are not very difficult, however, you will need to know the rules of the road in New York, and you should study for it. If you fail either test, you can re-take them as many times as you want. After you are informed that you have failed the test you simply make a new appointment at the Department of Motor Vehicles. There are several DMV offices in New York City – to find locations, check out the website at www.nydmv.state.ny.us.
When applying for a licence you will need to show valid forms of identification. There are several that are acceptable, including a foreign passport (translated into English if necessary), a work authorisation document, a visa, or a birth certificate. There is a complete list of acceptable forms of identification on the website.
Temporary Licence
A valid licence from another country is also valid in New York if you are just visiting – you do not need to get a New York State licence unless you become a resident of New York. Any visitors from other countries may use their licences from home. Please note that when you get your New York licence you will have to surrender your foreign licence and it will be destroyed within 60 days. If you plan on going back to your home country and using your licence, you can find out at the Department of Motor Vehicles about how to make sure it’s not destroyed. When you leave New York to go home you will have to go back to that same location to get it.
In order to get your learner’s permit, you must show identification and your social security card. If you are not eligible for a social security card, you must present a letter from the Social Security Administration (dated within 30 days of your application for the permit), stating that you are not eligible. In addition, you will also have to show the documents from the USCIS that the Social Security Administration used to decide that you are ineligible.
To get your permit, you must pass a written test, after studying the Driver’s Manual and Study Guide, as well as a vision test administered at the Department of Motor Vehicles. While you have your learner’s permit you must be supervised by a licensed driver over the age of 21.
Permanent Licence
After getting your learner’s permit, you must schedule a road test. You will be taken out with a driving instructor and required to demonstrate your skills in operating the car and show your understanding of the rules of the road. You will then be issued your driver’s licence, which is valid for eight years. The fee for getting your driver’s licence is $85.
Part of the penalty for getting certain moving traffic violations (not parking tickets) is points against your licence. If you get too many points, your licence can be revoked or suspended. Make sure you always pay fines associated with your ticket or appear at any court date that you are given when issued a violation. You can also lose your licence for driving while intoxicated.
Motorcycle Licence
You must have a separate licence to ride a motorcycle in New York. How you go about getting it depends upon whether you already have a driving licence and whether you have a motorcycle licence from another state. To find more details on obtaining this sort of licence check out the website for the Department of Motor Vehicles.
Driving Schools in New York
There are literally hundreds of driving schools in the five boroughs of New York City – it is impossible to list them all here. To find a driving school closer to you, check out the Department of Motor Vehicles website (www.nydmv.state.ny.us), but in the meantime, check out the ones listed in the table.
When applying for a licence you will need to show valid forms of identification. There are several that are acceptable, including a foreign passport (translated into English if necessary), a work authorisation document, a visa, or a birth certificate. There is a complete list of acceptable forms of identification on the website.
Temporary Licence
A valid licence from another country is also valid in New York if you are just visiting – you do not need to get a New York State licence unless you become a resident of New York. Any visitors from other countries may use their licences from home. Please note that when you get your New York licence you will have to surrender your foreign licence and it will be destroyed within 60 days. If you plan on going back to your home country and using your licence, you can find out at the Department of Motor Vehicles about how to make sure it’s not destroyed. When you leave New York to go home you will have to go back to that same location to get it.
In order to get your learner’s permit, you must show identification and your social security card. If you are not eligible for a social security card, you must present a letter from the Social Security Administration (dated within 30 days of your application for the permit), stating that you are not eligible. In addition, you will also have to show the documents from the USCIS that the Social Security Administration used to decide that you are ineligible.
To get your permit, you must pass a written test, after studying the Driver’s Manual and Study Guide, as well as a vision test administered at the Department of Motor Vehicles. While you have your learner’s permit you must be supervised by a licensed driver over the age of 21.
Permanent Licence
After getting your learner’s permit, you must schedule a road test. You will be taken out with a driving instructor and required to demonstrate your skills in operating the car and show your understanding of the rules of the road. You will then be issued your driver’s licence, which is valid for eight years. The fee for getting your driver’s licence is $85.
Part of the penalty for getting certain moving traffic violations (not parking tickets) is points against your licence. If you get too many points, your licence can be revoked or suspended. Make sure you always pay fines associated with your ticket or appear at any court date that you are given when issued a violation. You can also lose your licence for driving while intoxicated.
Motorcycle Licence
You must have a separate licence to ride a motorcycle in New York. How you go about getting it depends upon whether you already have a driving licence and whether you have a motorcycle licence from another state. To find more details on obtaining this sort of licence check out the website for the Department of Motor Vehicles.
Driving Schools in New York
There are literally hundreds of driving schools in the five boroughs of New York City – it is impossible to list them all here. To find a driving school closer to you, check out the Department of Motor Vehicles website (www.nydmv.state.ny.us), but in the meantime, check out the ones listed in the table.
