Driver’s license in the USA
Driving a car is an important part of the “American way of life.” All sorts of things can be done at the drive-in counter in the United States, from picking up prescription drugs to banking. But how can the all-important driver’s license be obtained in the USA, and what other functions does it have? Find out more! Buy drivers license online
Driver’s license in the USA: how to request
The US driver’s license is an essential document for anyone starting a new life in America, as it not only allows you to drive a car but also serves many other functions. Therefore, obtaining your driver’s license in the USA should be one of the first things to tackle when arriving in your new home.
Initially, your driver’s license from your home country is usually still valid. The USA has concluded agreements with several countries thanks to which non-American driver’s licenses remain valid for a period of up to one year. However, the exact time limits and regulations vary from state to state.
If you wish to obtain a driver’s license in the USA, you must do so in the state in which you are a permanent resident. The authority responsible for issuing the driver’s license is the respective Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in each state. Buy drivers license online
If you are driving with an American driver’s license outside your state of residence, all other states will recognize your document. However, if you relocate within the US to another state, you will need to obtain a new driver’s license in the new state.
US driver’s license and its functions
The driver’s license in the USA is not only the permission to drive a vehicle. It fulfills a number of other purposes, but above all, it also serves as an ID document. Those who neither have a driver’s license nor wish to obtain one can apply to their local DMV for an ID card as a substitute, which then fulfills the ID card function.
However, there are also other reasons why it is highly advisable to apply for a driver’s license as soon as you arrive in America. Having a driver’s license in the USA is also an advantage when:
- when dealing with authorities,
- when concluding insurances, or
- when applying for credit
Exchanging a driver’s license in the USA
If you have a driver’s license from your home country, you must have it renewed in the United States. However, each state has its own guidelines and requirements for doing so.
Some US states have an agreement with other countries, and the exchange of a driver’s license is relatively uncomplicated. Yet, some states require a theoretical test, while others require a practical driving test as well. Moreover, a vision test and the submission of other documents are often requested as well.
While particularly strict regulations apply in the state of New York or in Washington D.C., the hurdles to obtaining a US driver’s license are significantly lower in Florida, for example. Below, we have listed the different driver’s license requirements for some of the most popular states among immigrants: