Driver's Licenses for All

The New York State DMV is now accepting applications for driver's licenses from all New Yorkers, regardless of immigration status under the Driver's License Access and Privacy Act, commonly called the Green Light law. Any New Yorker, 16 and above, can apply for a standard, not for federal purpose, non-commercial driver's license or learner permit, regardless of immigration status.

All applicants must provide 6 points worth of documents that prove identity, and also prove date of birth and residency. IDNYC can be used as 1 point of proof of identity and also counts as proof of residency. If you have never been issued a Social Security Number, you must sign an affidavit stating that and bring it with you when you apply.

More information about how to apply is available at the NYS DMV website. The NYS DMV also has a tool online to help you determine what documents you should bring.

Once you collect your original documents, bring them with you to the DMV office of your choice. The DMV office can help you from there.

Note that if you have never been licensed, you will first need to pass a knowledge test to get a learner's permit. Then, you must practice driving, take a pre-licensing course, and finally pass a road test before you can get a driver's license.

If you have questions about the new driver's licenses law, you can call the New Americans Hotline at 800-566-7636.

Additional Resources

Driver's Licenses for All Flyer

Additional languages coming soon