How To
Get A Driver's License
If
you already have a driver's license from another country, or have taken
a course, you may apply for a driver's license at the local Department
of Motor Vehicles, or "DMV", in your city or town.
!
It is strongly advisable that you make
an appointment before visiting a DMV field office.
Without an appointment you risk standing in long lines, possibly for
one to two hours at the busier field offices.
Learning
to Drive:
If you do not know how to drive, you will need to go to driving school.
Private driving schools and local community colleges offer driving courses.
Driving
Tests:
In order to obtain a driver's license in the U.S. you will normally
need to take the following tests:
The
written test contains questions about signs and signals, traffic rules
and drunk-driving laws. You may obtain a copy of the driver's manual
to study before taking the test by calling or contacting the DMV in
your state:
Florida
Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles:
website:
http://www.hsmv.state.fl.us/
en espanol:
http://www.hsmv.state.fl.us/Spanish/index.html
tel. (Miami/Dade
County): 305-375-2871
Driver's
Manuals (in english y en espanol): http://www.hsmv.state.fl.us/handbooks/
California
Department of Motor Vehicles:
Home
Page: http://www.dmv.ca.gov/dmv.htm
Addresses
and phone numbers for all Ca. field offices: http://www.dmv.ca.gov/fo/fotoc.htm
Driver's
Manuals: http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/hdbk/driver_handbook_toc.htm
New
York State DMV:
A useful
online manual and general introduction to the rules of driving:
http://www.nydmv.state.ny.us/brochure.htm
Identification:
On the day of your test you will need to bring several pieces of identification,
normally:
- your
social security number (if you have one) or I-94 card (if non-immigrant)
or alien registration card (green card)
- your
passport
- your
country's drivers' license (without this you may need to attend traffic
school before taking the test - contact your
local DMV beforehand)
Exception:
The
State of California requires that you bring a Social Security Card
with you. If you do not have a social security card you must first
apply for a Social Security Card from the Social Security Administration
(a branch of the federal government) and if you are denied a card,
bring the official denial form with you to the DMV.
!
Different
states have different required documents to bring with you to the Department
of Motor Vehicles.
Before
taking your test, be sure
to contact the website or field office in the state in which you wish
to apply to determine the exact documents you will need.
Florida
DMV document requirements:
http://www.hsmv.state.fl.us/ddl/faqkeys.html#NUSC
California
DMV document requirements:
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/dl/dl_info.htm#2500
