Driving in the U.S.
According to the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), you can drive in New York State with a valid driver license from another state or country. While you aren’t required by the DMV to have an International Driving Permit, the permit verifies in several languages that you have a valid driver license. This is helpful to police officers who can’t read the language on your foreign driver license.
Contact the authorities in your home country to get an International Driving Permit.
You are eligible to apply for a NYS driver's license if you have a valid Form I-20, DS-2019 or H-1B approval notice (I-797).
Your eligibility to apply for a New York State license is tied to your program dates. Your authorized status in the U.S. must have a total duration of at least one year, AND you must have at least 6 months remaining before the current expiration date (listed on line 5 of your Form I-20).
To get a NYS driver license, you must pass a written test, complete a 5-hour pre-licensing course and pass a road test. See the New York State DMV’s get a driver license webpage for requirements.
Note: When you pass your road test, you will be required to surrender your foreign driver license to the DMV road test examiner. The local DMV office will destroy your foreign driver license after 60 days. If you plan to return to your home country and will need your foreign driver license, ask the road test examiner how to make sure that your foreign driver license is not destroyed.
You must show a combination of the following forms of identification, which add up to 6 points, at the DMV to prove your name and identify.
|
# of Points
|
Identification Type
|
|
3 points
|
Passport, U.S. Visa, valid Form I-20 or DS-2019 and valid I-94/Admission Stamp
|
|
2 points
|
U.S. Social Security Card*
|
|
2 points
|
Stony Brook Student ID Card + Enrollment Verification/Transcript issued by the Registrar
|
|
2 points
|
Driver's License issued by another U.S. state (not expired for more than 12 months)
|
|
1 point
|
Valid U.S. Credit Card
|
|
1 point
|
Cash Card (ATM) with your pre-printed name & signature
|
|
1 point
|
Student (or other U.S.) Health Insurance Card
|
|
1 point
|
Utility Bill indicating your full name and valid local U.S. address
|
|
1 point
|
Bank Statement (in your name from a U.S. bank)
|
|
1 point
|
Pay Stub (must indicate your full name)
|
*If you do not have a SSN or qualify for one, the DMV no longer requires a denial letter from Social Security. You can complete the DMV form (click here) and sign it in the presence of a DMV representative.
- Driving while intoxicated (“DWI”) is a very serious crime in New York State. Do not drink and drive.
- In New York State, you must have a “hands-free device” to use your cell phone in the car.
- You must always wear your seat belt — it's the law!