Getting International Driver License
Get your EDL/EID. The enhanced driver license EDL or enhanced ID card EID confirms your identity and citizenship. It s an acceptable alternative to a passport.
Tennessee driver s license requirements are different for international persons than they are for US residents. OIS has worked, and continues to work, with the.
You can get to the Secretary of State offices by public AATA bus – remember that you can ride free by showing your M-Card when you get on the bus.
If you re considering renting a car internationally, it can be handy to have an international driver s permit or license. An international drivers permit IDP allows.
A driver s license is a very important document in the United States. It is typically the same size as a credit card. A driver s license allows you to.
A driver s license is a very
important document in the United States. It is typically the same
size as a credit card. A driver s license allows you to operate a
motor vehicle legally. Without a driver s license, it is illegal to
operate a motor vehicle. Driver s licenses are issued by each state in the
United States. The rules and regulations vary in various states. However,
a driver s license issued from any state in the United States allows you
to drive anywhere in the U.S. and Canada. As the public transport system
is only good or reasonable in some major cities like New York, most people need to drive a car.
Driver s licenses are issued by a particular state s Department of Motor Vehicles DMV, which is similar to
the RTO Regional Transport Office in India. In some states, it may be called something other than the
DMV. For example, it is the Registry of Motor Vehicles in Massachusetts and the Department of Public Safety
in Texas. Please refer to DMV.org , an excellent
unofficial guide to DMV rules in different states.
As the United States has no
national identification system, the driver s license is also widely
used for identification. As most people drive car in the U.S.,
the driver s license has become the standard photo ID. If you are
writing a check for payment at stores, boarding a domestic flight, buying
tobacco or alcohol, visiting bars or dance clubs where alcohol
is served, you are required to present a photo ID. Many places accept only a valid U.S. driver s license as valid photo identification and not a passport. The DMV can also issue you a photo ID that looks similar to a driver s license, but you can t operate a motor vehicle with it.
Most people get a basic driver s license to operate
car. There are separate licenses for motorcycles, taxis, buses, or trucks.
Some states issue driver s licenses with vertical orientation to people
under the age 21 to easily identify whether the person is of legal
drinking age. In these cases, it also specifies the date
the person will turn 21. Some states may print the picture on the
right for drivers under 21 rather than the left. Some states write
Under 21 in bold red. Some states may give licenses of different colors
to people below the age of 21. Some states show a picture of a small heart,
or the term Organ Donor is printed on the driver s license, to indicate
that he/she has agreed to donate
his/her organs in case of a sudden death, such as in a car accident. The minimum driving age is different in each state and may
vary from 14 to 18 years. However, in most states, it is around 16 years. Many states have stopped printing
social security numbers as driver s license numbers due to identify theft concerns. Driver s licenses generally have
a license number, photograph of the person, copy of his/her signature, name, date of birth, address of primary residence, the
type or class of license, restrictions and/or endorsements, and physical characteristics of the persons such as
height, weight, and eye color.
In order to get a driver s license, you must generally follow these steps:
Get a Driver s Manual:
Either visit the DMV in person or go to their website and download a driver s
manual. It describes the rules and regulations for operating a motor
vehicle. It also has many diagrams and photographs that illustrate various rules.
Social Security Number:
Some states require you to have a
social security number before you can get a driver s license. If you are not eligible
to get a social security number e.g., because you are on an H4 visa, you will need to get a letter from the SSA and apply for an ITIN Individual Tax Identification
Number. Some states may accept an ITIN, while others simply don t allow you to get a driver s license until you have a social
security number.
Written Test:
Once you
are confident that you have learned the written rules for driving, go
to the nearest DMV to take a written test. You may either have
to make an appointment, or you may be able to walk in during
normal business hours. The test generally contains multiple choice
questions A, B, C, D. The test may be taken on paper or on a computer.
Generally, there is no time limit to answer the questions. When you go to
the DMV, you will have to show proof of your identity, which can be
your foreign passport, I-94 card nonimmigrants, or a green card stamp
new immigrants. Sometimes, after you have given the correct answers to
the minimum number of questions required to pass the test, the computer
may stop asking you questions. In a computer-based test, you will know
your score immediately. In a paper-based test, an employee at the DMV will
look at your answers and tell you the score. Once you pass the test, you
will be given learner s permit allowing you to operate a car
only if a licensed driver is sitting next to you. A learner s permit is required to take driving lessons.
Duration of the validity of your learner s permit may vary by state.
Driving Lessons:
Even though you might have driven a car in your home country, it
is still a good idea to take driving lessons. You can either go to a private teacher or to a driving school. Private teachers will usually cost less than driving schools. They will charge money on a hourly basis. Driving lessons allow you to get used to driving in the U.S., its rules regulations,
parking, etc. Moreover, you will feel more confident driving. Driving and parking rules are totally different in
the U.S. compared to countries like India. Lessons will also help you pass the driving test and become a safe driver.
Road Test:
Once you are comfortable driving on U.S.
roads, you will have to take the road test at the DMV. Again, it may
either be walk-in, or you may have to make an appointment. In some states
like New Jersey, there may be a few weeks waiting period to get an
appointment. You will go to the DMV with your learner s permit. The car
that you will use for your road test must have proper liability insurance.
All controls, including indicator lights, brake lights, horn, etc., must
be in working condition. Otherwise, you will not be allowed to use that
car for a road test. An inspector will sit next to you and ask you to
drive. He/she will check your various driving and parking skills. After
the test, the inspector will immediately tell you the result. If you
have made mistakes, they will generally explain
them to you so that you can correct them later. If you passed the road test, you can go inside the DMV and get
your driver s license, which is immediate in most states. In some states like Texas, you may receive a temporary paper license with
no photo ID. It will allow you to drive a car, but the original license will come in the mail, which may take around two
weeks. In other states like Virginia, you will get the driver s license instantly. If you fail the test, generally,
there is no minimum waiting period to apply again. However, if your DMV requires an appointment for the road test,
there may be a delay. Either way, don t try to take the road test again until you have worked on the
mistakes you made during your original test.
Driver s License:
You will be required
to pay a fee for your driver s license. You will also have to show proof of identify with a photograph, as well as proof of your date of birth. Be sure
to bring proof of identity, like your foreign passport, I-94 card nonimmigrants, or a green card stamp new immigrants. In some states, you must provide proof of legal status in the U.S., which is usually your I-94 form. And you may be given a driver s license that expires on the day your legal stay expires in the U.S. As described above, you may also require a social security number. You will have to provide proof of residence in the state in which you are applying. You can provide utility bills, a copy of an apartment lease agreement, etc.
In some states, you will also be required to provide proof of liability insurance.
However, most insurance companies give insurance to a particular car and to particular drivers. If you don t have a car, most companies won t give insurance. Some companies may give non-owned car insurance that gives insurance to a particular driver and not for particular car.
Finally, before getting a
driver s license, you will be required to take a vision test. There
are vision testing machines located at each clerk s desk. Once you put
your forehead against the machine, you will be asked to read specific
lines located on the screen. If you normally wear glasses, you can wear them during the vision test. However,
there will be a notation on the driver s license that you need glasses. Make sure to wear glasses appropriately while
driving a car. Otherwise, you may be in violation of law.
Your photograph also will be taken at the DMV and will be digitally printed in the driver s license.
International Driver s Permit:
Some states recognize an International
Driver s Permit and/or the regular license from your country and may allow
you to drive on that license, or they may allow you to skip some of the
requirements listed above. It is extremely difficult
to get car insurance on non-U.S. driver s licenses, though.
Always ensure that your full Name in International Driving License Your countries driving License matches with that of your passport.
Getting a driver's license or Photo ID in USA
By: Drivers.com staff. Date: Tuesday, 06. June 2006. What is involved in getting a driver s license. There s no straightforward answer to that question.
