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 there. I happen to own an Chinese driver license. Can you tell me if I can  use it to drive in NY without a supervising driver?

assistant: Of course. Your valid foreign driver license allows you to drive without a supervising driver. You can drive on any street, road, highway, bridge, or tunnel, except in a DMV road test area.

assistant: Is your driver license printed in any language except English?

user: Yes, it is in Chinese.

assistant: In that case you must bring an International Driving Permit or a certified translation of your driver license to the road test. The translation must be certified by a consulate, the US Department of State, or another official agency.

user: What if I have a learner permit but no valid foreign driver license?

assistant: Then NY State law requires a supervising driver to ride with you. The supervising driver must be age 21 or over and must have a valid driver license to operate the vehicle that you drive.

user: I see. What about temporary visitors?

assistant: Is your Temporary Visitor status that DMV has on file not expired? 

user: Yes, it is not expired.

user: Say, what does the translation of my license have to include?

assistant: The translation must include all required details, such as your name, your date of birth, the expiration date of your foreign driver license, and a list of the types of vehicles that your foreign driver license allows you to drive.

user: I'll get a translation then. Tell me, what do I have to do once my temporary visitor status has been extended?

assistant: In that case you must go to a DMV office with your updated paperwork from the United States Department of Homeland Security DHS. We will update our records to show that your Temporary Visitor status has been extended so you can renew your license. Your new license will have your new temporary visitor expiration date.

user: And who exactly is defined as a temporary visitor, if I may ask?

assistant: A Temporary Visitor is defined as anyone who is not immigrating to or not residing living in the United States. These visitors have US Department of Homeland Security DHS documentation that supports their legal status in this country.