Learn the costs associated—REAL IDs are the same amount as a standard driver’s license renewal fee. The Enhanced license is $30 more than the price of getting a new standard license. Bring original copies of important documents to the DMV—this includes: a birth certificate, social security card and a US passport. Undocumented immigrants in New York will be able to apply for driver's licenses this week after the state's so-called 'Green Light Law' went into effect Monday. For a Class D, Class DJ, and Class E driver license, the expiration date of your learner permit becomes the expiration date of your driver license. Together the learner permit and the driver license are valid for a maximum of 5 years.

1. Nys Driver's License Class B
2. Ny Driver's Licence Types
3. Nys Driver License Types

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COVID-19 Effects on Licensing Services

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, state DMVs nationwide have closed driver licensing offices, extended license and registration expiration dates, and/or limited the transactions they are processing. If possible, residents should use the DMV's online services to complete any relevant transactions. Follow the DMV's most recent updates for the latest information.

Apply for a License in NY

Whether you have recently moved to New York or you are a new driver, you are probably anxious to get your driver's license right away.

This page will guide you through the steps required as an adult to transfer or obtain your initial driver's license with the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (NYSDMV).

NOTE: This page is dedicated to adult first-time drivers. If you are a teen driver, please visit our page on Teen Driver's Licenses in NY.

New York REAL ID Driver's License

The New York DMV issues federally-compliant REAL ID driver’s licenses in addition to non-compliant licenses. As of October 1, 2021, only the REAL ID will function as federal identification for domestic travel and entry into federal and military buildings—a standard license will not after this date. Enhanced licenses in NY are automatically REAL ID-compliant.

You have the choice to apply for a non-compliant license or upgrade to a REAL ID license—we'll walk you through the requirements below. For more detail, visit the NY DMV's guide to REAL IDs.

New to New York?

Find all the information you need to finish your moving requirements with the DMV.

If you've recently become a resident of New York, you must obtain a NYS driver's license and surrender your out-of-state license within 30 days of establishing residency.

Eligibility

The NYSDMV allows new residents to transfer an out-of-state or Canadian license UNLESS it is one of the following:

• A license:
  • Without a photograph.
  • That doesn't show the date of issue*.
  • That has been expired for more than 24 months.
  • Designated as 'employment-only.'
  • Designated as 'non-renewable' or 'non-transferrable.'
• A learner permit.
• A temporary or interim license.
• A hardship license.
• A non-commercial license valid for less than 6 months.

* If the issue date is not on the license, you may request a driver license record or letter from your previous state. The record/letter must be from the state that issued the license and must show the issue date. The record/letter must have been dated within 6 months prior to the date you submit it to the NYSDMV and must be an original copy.

Your license must meet the above requirements AND must meet ONE of the following requirements:

• Be valid for a minimum of 6 months.
  OR
• Have expired in the last 12 months.
  OR
• Be a commercial driver's license (CDL) valid for any period of time.

Transferring Your Driver's License

If you are eligible to transfer your out-of-state or Canadian license, you can take the following steps to apply for your new NYS driver's license:

• Visit your local DMV office.
• Submit a completed Application for Driver License or Non-Driver ID Card (Form MV-44).
• Pass a vision test OR bring a valid Vision Test Report (Form MV-619)*.
• Surrender your current, out-of-state driver's license.
  • If your driver's license was lost or stolen during the move, please visit our Replace a Lost License in NY page.
• Provide applicable proof of ID and date of birth.
  • NY provides a full list of acceptable ID**. Some examples are:
    • Valid U.S. passport or passport card.
    • Valid U.S. military photo ID.
    • High school photo ID with report card.
  • If you wish to upgrade a non-compliant license to a REAL ID license, jump down to the application steps below to see your required documents.
• Provide your Social Security cardOR a letter of ineligibility from the U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA).
  • If you submit a letter, you'll also need to show an I-94.
• Pay the applicable new driver's license fee:
  • Fees are calculated based on exact age and location. Please view the chart to find your fee.
  • The NYSDMV accepts cash, a check/money order, or a credit card.

Once you've taken all the above steps, the NYSDMV will issue you a temporary, non-photo driver's license. Your permanent license will be mailed in about 2 weeks.

*If your eye doctor is enrolled in the DMV Online Vision Registry, your test results will be electronically submitted, and you will not need the form.

Types of NY Driver's Licenses

New York has the following full, noncommercial driver's licenses:

• Class D (operator):
  • The Class D license is issued age 18 years old or older or to drivers who are age 17 years old with driver education. With a Class D license can operate passenger cars and trucks with a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,000 lbs or less.
• Class E (taxi and livery):
  • Class E licenses are issued to drivers who are at least 18 years old. Passenger cars and trucks can be operated with a Class E license, as well as for-hire vehicles that can carry up to 14 passengers.

If you need another type of driver's license, check out the following pages:

• Teen Drivers
  
  • Covers NY's GDL process, including Driver's Ed requirements, provisional permits, and junior (Class DJ) licenses.
• Motorcycles
  
  • Our NY Motorcycle Licensing page covers the steps on applying for a Class M or junior (class MJ) license.
• Commercial Vehicles
  
  • Find out how to get your NY Class A, B, and C commercial driver license (CDL), as well as how to add endorsements.

New York Driver's License Eligibility Requirements

If any of the following apply to you, you'll need to follow the steps to apply for a new driver's license in New York:

• You are a new (not previously licensed) driver in New York who is at least 18 years old*.
• You have a license that cannot be transferred (see “New to New York' above).
• You hold a license a foreign country other than Canada (see “Applying for a NY License as a Non-Citizen' below).

*If you are under 18 years old or are planning to upgrade a junior license to a regular license upon turning 18 years old, please see our page on applying for a teen license in NY to learn all about the Graduated Driver's License requirements.

Applying for a new license in NY involves 3 basic steps:

• Completing driver's education OR an adult education pre-licensing course. The course is about 5 hours.
• Obtaining a learner permit.
• Scheduling and taking a driving test and applying for a new driver's license.

Pre-Licensing Courses/Driver's Education

If you are getting your license for the first time in New York OR you do not qualify to transfer an out-of-state or foreign license (see “New to New York?' above), you must EITHER:

• Complete a driver's education course (high school or college level) and obtain a form MV-285 driver education certificate.
  OR
  
• Complete an adult education pre-licensing course and obtain an MV-278 certificate.

Learn more about each of these options in our Driver's Ed in New York section.

Regardless of which course you take, your certificate must be valid on the date that you schedule your driving test (although it may be expired on the actual date of the test).

If you have a valid license of any other class in NYS, you do not need to take one of the above courses. MV-285 certificates are valid 2 years from issue date; MV-278 certificates are valid 1 year from issue date.

Obtain a New York Learner's Permit

All New York drivers, regardless of age, must obtain a learner's permit UNLESS you're a new resident who qualifies to transfer your out-of-state license.

To apply for your learner's permit:

• Make an appointment at your local DMV office.
• Complete an Application for Driver License or Non-Driver ID Card (Form

Ace Your Exam on the First Try!

Don't leave your permit test to chance—take our free permit practice test with questions directly from the NY driver handbook. It's the fastest, easiest way to set yourself up for success!

If you pass your written permit test and meet all of the above requirements, you'll receive a learner's permit. The exact date of expiration is based on your birthday and date of issue.

For more information on learner's permits in NY, please visit our

Apply for a New NY Driver's License

Before applying for your full NY driver's license, you must first:

• Obtain your learner's permit.
  AND
• Complete your pre-licensing course.

If, at this point, you wish to upgrade a non-compliant permit to an enhanced or REAL ID driver's license, you'll need to bring additional proofs of identity and/or residency. Review the required documents listed above for a refresher.

Scheduling and Taking Your Driving Test

When you have both your valid permit and your certificate of completion from a driver's education or pre-licensing course, you can schedule your road test online or by phone at (518) 402-2100. When you go to schedule your test, be prepared with your:

• Client ID number (on your permit).
• Form MV-278 or MV-285 certificate number (indicated in red on your certificate).
  • This is not required if you already hold another class of driver's license from NYS.
• The ZIP code of the location in which you want to take your driving test.

Tests are generally taken a few weeks from the date the appointment is scheduled.

On the day of your driving test, check the DMV website if you are concerned about the weather conditions. Plan to arrive early to your scheduled time and be sure to bring your:

• NYS learner's permit. If your permit is temporary, bring another photo ID.
• MV-278 or MV-285 certificate.

The vehicle you use for testing must be registered and inspected.

The fee is $10 for 2 tests (they only come in pairs). If you wish, you can pay online.

After Your Driving Test

If you passed your driving test, you'll be issued an interim driver license you can use until your permanent photo license arrives in the mail.

NOTE: Every new driver is subject to a probationary period of 6 months. During this period, which starts at the date you passed your road test, you can have your license suspended for certain violations. Learn more by reading the DMV brochure on this probationary period.

Once you've received your new driver's license, make sure you meet NY liability insurance requirements before you begin driving.

Non-Citizens & New York Driver's Licenses

Unless your license is from Canada, you cannot transfer a foreign license for a NYS driver's license. You must apply for a new license if you become a resident of NY. If you do not plan on becoming a resident, the DMV does not recommend getting one because your foreign license is valid as long as you remain a resident of the country that issued your license.

If you do become a resident, you must apply for a new driver's license within 30 days. You will need to:

• Complete a pre-licensing course.
• Obtain a permit by passing a written test.
• Pass a driving test.
• Show a Social Security card or letter of ineligibility from the SSA.
• Surrender your foreign license upon receiving your NYS license*.

Read above for more information on applying for a new driver's license in New York.

*The New York DMV will destroy your foreign license 60 days after you surrender it. If you know you'll need it when you return to your home country, ask the road test examiner how to ensure they won't destroy it. You can retrieve your license at the DMV office that issued your NYS license.

Military Drivers in New York

If you were issued a driver's license by the US Armed Forces, you can use that license to drive legally in NYS for 60 days. After that, you need a valid NYS driver's license.

You cannot transfer a military license, so you'll need to apply for a new license. Read above for steps to applying for an original license in New York. Essentially, you'll need to:

• Take a pre-licensing course.
• Pass a written permit test.
• Pass a driving test.

NOTE: If you are a dependent of a military member, you cannot use a military driver license to legally drive in NYS for any amount of time.

Forms

This form is provided by your state's agency/department.

Please select one of the below to continue:

Drivers who want to apply for an enhanced driver’s license in New York should first understand what this credential is good for and what the application process entails. Motorists may obtain an enhanced license, permit or ID card through the New York Department of Motor Vehicles (NY DMV). However, prior to applying for this credential, drivers need to learn the difference between an enhanced, a standard and REAL ID license.

This type of document is a credential that provides motorists with the opportunity to travel into the U.S. by land or sea from Canada, Mexico and some Caribbean countries without the need of a passport. To learn more about how to get an enhanced license in New York, review the following sections.

What is an enhanced driver’s license in New York?

A New York enhanced driver’s license (EDL) is a federal, REAL ID-compliant credential that may be used in various situations. A few basic enhanced driver license benefits include:

• Entering federal facilities or a military base.
• Boarding domestic flights without a U.S. passport.
• Crossing a U.S. border from Canada, Mexico and some Caribbean countries.
• Providing a photo proof of identity.

This license displays the resident’s full legal name and residential address. It also contains a U.S. flag, which differentiates it from a standard credential.

What is an enhanced ID in New York?

The enhanced ID in New York is a credential issued by the NY DMV that is better known as enhanced non-driver ID card (ENDID). Like an enhanced license to drive, the ENDID may be used instead of a passport in situations when NY residents return to the U.S. by land or sea from Canada, Mexico or some of the Caribbean countries. However, neither the EDL license nor the ENDID card is accepted for air travel between the above-mentioned countries.

There are no specific differences between an EDL and an ENDID card, except that the license allows you to drive. An NY DMV-issued enhanced license, permit or a non-driver ID (ENDID) may be utilized for purposes like crossing a U.S. border by land and sea from specific countries, entering federal facilities, boarding domestic flights and proving identity.

New York Enhanced License Eligibility Requirements

In order to obtain an enhanced driver’s license in New York, motorists may need to satisfy the basic eligibility criteria. To meet EDL eligibility requirements, drivers must be U.S. citizens and NY residents before applying for this credential.

Documents Needed for an Enhanced Driver’s License in New York

When applying for a New York enhanced driver’s license (EDL), permit or non-driver ID (ENDID), residents may have to visit a local NY DMV branch to submit certain paperwork. Motorists need to provide the following:

• Proof of identity
• Proof of New York residency
• Proof of United States citizenship
• Proof of date of birth
• Proof of Social Security status
• Payment for the applicable enhanced driver’s license cost

How to Get an Enhanced License in New York

Motorists who want to obtain a DMV enhanced license in New York are required to perform certain application procedures in order to receive the credential. To apply for an enhanced driver’s license (EDL), permit or non-driver ID (ENDID), applicants must go to a New York DMV location and perform the procedure in person. Currently, the methods for applying online, by mail or by phone are unavailable. Therefore, the only way to obtain this license is by appearing in person at the DMV.

Motorists who are applying for an EDL license for the first time are required to first hold a corresponding permit. Moreover, residents who do not plan to operate a motor vehicle may simply apply for a non-driver ID card (ENDID). When EDL license, permit or ENDID applicants arrive at the NY DMV, they will have to do the following:

Nys Driver's License Class B

• Pass an eye exam.
• Present the mandatory paperwork.
• Pay the applicable fees.

How long does it take to get an enhanced license in New York?

After finishing the application procedure for an NY enhanced driver’s license, permit or non-driver ID card, applicants need to wait for the new credential to arrive in the mail. The NY DMV issues enhanced credentials after the application procedure is processed. Therefore, motorists will receive their EDL documents at their mailing addresses within two weeks.

Enhanced Driver’s License Cost in New York

Ny Driver's Licence Types

The final step of the EDL application is to provide payment for the applicable fees, depending on the type of enhanced document drivers have applied for. Motorists may be required to pay basic fees for a regular driver’s license or a DMV-issued ID card, as well as an additional $30 fee for the enhanced credential. The additional cost for an enhanced driver’s license (EDL) or an enhanced non-driver ID card (ENDID) is the same for both documents.

Enhanced Licenses vs. Passports in New York

Nys Driver License Types

Motorists wondering what is the difference between a New York DMV enhanced license and a passport card should know that the EDL like a cross between the two documents. A passport is a legal document issued for the purpose of travelling internationally by land, sea and air.

However, a passport card is a document that is valid only for the purpose of re-entering the U.S. only by land or sea from Canada, Mexico and some of the Caribbean countries. In this aspect, the passport card is similar to an enhanced license because both the EDL and the passport card may be used for the same travel purposes.

Although an enhanced driver’s license resembles a passport card in aspects of travelling, the EDL is different than passports and passport cards due to the other advantages that residents get from it. Apart from the ability to re-enter the U.S., the enhanced driver license benefits include the possibility to enter federal facilities or military base, to board domestic flights and to submit the license as a proof of photo identity. Of course, it also gives motorists the ability to legally drive their vehicles.