New York State Drivers License

[wee carrington 33]

Have any of you or your family members had to get an NYS Drivers License? How quickly were you able to obtain one?

I've been on the NYSDMV website and my understanding is that even if you hold a full and valid license in another country (except Canada) you will need to turn it into the DMV and start from scratch if you want a NYS Drivers License.

I know you need the 5 hour course and the road test, but is there a new rule or something where you have to wait so many months between receiving your permit and taking your road test? Or is that just for under 18s?

It's going to put us in a position as far as employment goes if he can't get his license ASAP. I am aware he'll need his SS card before he can get a permit and a couple other forms of ID.

Sorry this post is a rambler but I hope someone can make sense of what I'm trying to say. Thanks

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Have any of you or your family members had to get an NYS Drivers License? How quickly were you able to obtain one?

I've been on the NYSDMV website and my understanding is that even if you hold a full and valid license in another country (except Canada) you will need to turn it into the DMV and start from scratch if you want a NYS Drivers License.

I know you need the 5 hour course and the road test, but is there a new rule or something where you have to wait so many months between receiving your permit and taking your road test? Or is that just for under 18s?

It's going to put us in a position as far as employment goes if he can't get his license ASAP. I am aware he'll need his SS card before he can get a permit and a couple other forms of ID.

Sorry this post is a rambler but I hope someone can make sense of what I'm trying to say. Thanks

I believe the wait is for under 18 yr. old. As an aduilt you should be able to take the written and road test to get licensed without training.

Other things I looked up:

*You can drive on your UK license as a visitor. Once you are a resident, you have 30 days to get a NY license. (But until you have a greencard, you're not a resident.)

*You will probably need at least your EAD card to apply (or your greencard). You need to prove 6 points of identity with documents. Example:

EAD card- 3 pts

Soc Sec. card- 2 pts

Bank ststement- 1 pt

Greencard- 3 pts

Their documentation says foreigh passport with valid I-94 and visa is 3 pts, but they may only give you a license until your I-94 expires (90 days) which is a waste of time. That's why I think drive as a British citzen until USCIS grants you EAD or permanent residency.

*NY does ask you to surrender you UK license and they destroy it unless you ask them to retain it. If you leave the US to return to UK they will give back your UK license (you asked they retain) in exchange for your NY license. Sooo...I'm thinking you might want that UK license for visiting. I would just not take it to the DMV and apply from scratch like you never had a license. They aren't going to give you any points or waive testing because you hold a UK license, so why give it up to them to destroy??

[wee carrington 33]

Thanks very much Nich! I feel so much better knowing that it won't take as long as I was beginning to think it would. He's not planning on letting them destroy his British license.