Drivers from other Countries 


Only New York state residents need New York State driver licenses 
You can drive in New York State with a valid driver license from another country. You do not need to apply for a New York State driver license unless you become a New York State resident. To get a New York State driver license , you must pass a written test, complete a 5-hour pre - licensing course and pass a road test. When you pass your road test , you must give 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 do not need to be a US Citizen to get a New York driver license, permit or non-driver ID card 
If you are not a US citizen , you must have US Department of Homeland Security DHS documentation that supports your legal status in this country. The expiration date from your DHS document is added to your New York State permit, driver license or non - driver ID card. Learn more about how to get a driver license [1 ] learner permit [2 ] non - driver ID card [3 ] If your temporary visitor status gets extended , you must bring to a DMV office a completed Application for Permit , Driver License or Non - Driver ID Card PDF [4] MV-44 your updated paperwork from the DHS your documents must be valid, current and verifiable 6 points of identification [5 ] 

Non citizens and types of ID 
New York offers three types of ID documents [6]; standard licenses and IDs, Real IDs, and Enhanced licenses and IDs. Non citizens are eligibile for standard IDs and Real IDs. However , only US Citizens are eligibile for Enhanced IDs. 

Renewing your license 
As long as the Temporary Visitor status that DMV has on file is not expired you can renew your license online, through the mail or in an office. If your Temporary Vis

user: Hello. I'm about to work in NY, but I originally come from abroad, and I do have some questions related to driving in NY.

assistant: Of course. Are you a New York state resident?

user: Yes. I just moved to NY from England.

assistant: Then you can drive in New York State with a valid driver license from another country. You do not need to apply for a New York State driver license, unless you become a New York State resident.

user: What if I want to get a New York State driver license?

assistant: Then you must pass a written test, complete a 5-hour pre-licensing course and pass a road test.

user: I see. What if I have a license that I need to renew?

assistant: Is your Temporary Visitor status that DMV has on file not expired and do you want to renew your license online, through the mail or in an office?

user: No, I don't want to renew my license. I'm just asking out of curiosity.

user: What else apart from the DHS documents do I need as a temporary visitor?

assistant: You need your New York State driver license, and a permit or non-driver ID card that has 'TEMPORARY VISITOR' on it, among a few other things.

user: Do I need a NY driver license if I'm going to permanently live and work in NY?

assistant: Yes, you need to apply for a New York State driver license if you become a New York State resident.