American Driver's License: New York, New Jersey and Connecticut

Expats in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut can obtain a driver's license provided they meet the requirements established in each state. In the United States, state laws govern the issuance of driver's licenses, and you are required to know and understand the rules of the road and all relevant laws.

Expats: Getting a Driver's License in New York

Expats living in New York City often ask about what they need to legally drive in New York State. Here is some text from the Driver's Manual produced by the New York State Division of Motor Vehicles.

Non-Resident and New Resident Drivers

If you are a resident of another state or country and hold a valid driver license there, you can legally drive in New York State. You should not apply for a New York driver license. Apply for a New York license only after you become a resident of this state. Then, to remain legally licensed, you must apply for a New York State driver license within 30 days after you establish you are a New York State resident.

If you are a new resident with a valid driver license issued by a U.S. state, territory or possession, or a Canadian province or territory, you must turn in your out-of-state license to get a New York driver license. You must show additional proof of name and date of birth (see “Applying for your First License”), and provide your Social Security card. You must pass the vision test. If your out-of-state license has been valid for less than six months or had expired more than one year ago, you must also pass the written and road tests and complete the safe driving course.

If you are a new resident licensed in a country other than Canada, you must pass the vision test, complete the safe driving course, turn in your foreign license, and you must pass a written and road test. When you pass the road test, you must give your foreign license to the DMV motor vehicle license examiner who conducted the test. Your foreign driver license will be destroyed unless you provide the examiner a written request to hold your foreign license on file at a New York State office of the Department of Motor Vehicles. The license examiner will tell you which DMV District Office will hold your foreign license. Your foreign license will be returned at your request, but only after you return your New York State license.

New York State Driver's Manual (PDF)

Expats: Getting a Driver's License in New Jersey

Non-Citizens seeking a driver's license in New Jersey must fit into certain categories and have temporary visa status. Here are a few of those categories:

• Treaty traders
• Students and their families
• Temporary workers, accompanying spouses and children
• Foreign information representatives and their families
• Exchange visitors and their families
• Intra-company transfers, accompanying spouses and minor children
• Persons with temporary protection from deportation
• Canadians with temporary residence
• Religious ministers and spouses
• Parents of U.S. citizens
• International athletes or entertainment groups
• Persons in a reciprocal exchange program

***Students and their families with an (F) visa must show INS Form I-20, student identification cards or certification on school letterhead indicating status and their I-94 passport

***You may use your country's driver license as proof of driving experience if you have an International Driver Permit issued by your country or if your country is a member of the United Nations Convention on Road Traffic and your license is translated into English by a consulate or an MVC approved translator

***If you are under 18 years old, you are subject to GDL Program requirements "If you are in H-1B or L-1 status and do not have current USCIS documentation, you must bring a certification like this H-1B or L-1 240 Day Extension Certificate with your 6 Point ID documents to an MVC agency

Expats: Getting a Driver's License in Connecticut

Non-Citizens seeking a driver's license in Connecticut must prove the following:

• Identity
• Legal Status in the U.S.
• Connecticut Residency

Foreign drivers can drive for a period of one year using a foreign license that must be accompanied by an international driver's permit (IDP). The IDP by itself does not enable you to drive in Connecticut.

To use your international driver's permit - which is only allowed for a period of ONE YEAR - it must also be accompanied by the foreign license.

More Information:

Per Foreign Visitors Driving in the U.S. on USA.gov:

"The United States does not issue International Driving Permits to foreign visitors, so you will need to obtain this document in your home country before you travel to the United States."

Having an international driving permit is recommended, as it will often get you on your way quicker if you are pulled over, especially if your license from your home country is in a foreign language.

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