Driver's License

This page is for people who have recently arrived in the USA or live in the USA and want to drive. In the USA, driver's licenses are issued by each state's department of motor vehicles (DMV), not by the federal government; therefore, rules vary from state to state. Below, you will find how long you can drive with a Turkish driver's license, which tests you will take for a state license, the REAL ID rule required for domestic flights, and the official rules and manuals of states with large Turkish populations (New York, New Jersey, California, Texas, Florida, and Illinois). For newcomers' first tasks, see 10.0 Newcomers: first 30 days checklist.

• Driver's licenses and state identification cards (state IDs) are obtained from the agency of the state where you live. The agency's name varies by state:
  • New York and California: DMV
  • New Jersey: Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC)
  • Texas: Department of Public Safety (DPS)
  • Florida: Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV)
  • Illinois: Secretary of State
• You can find your state's official website in the state list on USA.gov.
• According to the official pages of New York, California, and Texas, people who arrive with another country's driver's license and begin living in that state must take written and road tests. These three states do not state that Turkish driver's licenses can be exchanged without testing.

• As a visitor:
  • New York: You may drive in New York with a valid driver's license from another country. You do not need a New York license unless you begin living in New York. People under 16 cannot drive with a foreign license either.
  • New Jersey: You may drive with a valid driver's license from another country for up to 1 year.
  • Florida: A nonresident who is 18 or older may drive if they carry a valid driver's license from their home country. However, a nonresident who starts working in Florida or enrolls their child in a public school must obtain a Florida license within 30 days if they will drive. Their spouse and dependent children must also obtain licenses within the same period.
• Once you begin living in the state:
  • New York: You must apply for a New York driver's license within 30 days of becoming a New York resident.
  • California: Everyone living in California must have a valid California driver's license to drive.
• International Driving Permit (IDP):
  • According to New York, an IDP is not required but is useful. It verifies in many languages that your license is valid; a police officer who cannot read the foreign language can read the IDP.
  • According to New Jersey, visitors must carry an IDP or attach an acceptable English translation to their license. IDPs are issued in the official languages of the United Nations, including English.
  • You must obtain an IDP in your home country before coming to the USA.
  • If your license is not in English, you must bring an IDP or an approved translation to the road test in New York. The translation must be approved by a consulate, the U.S. Department of State, or another official institution. It must state your name, date of birth, license expiration date, and the types of vehicles you may drive.

1. Prepare your documents. For a REAL ID-compliant license, federal rules require at least the following: identification showing your full legal name and date of birth, Social Security number (SSN), two documents showing your address in the state, and a document showing that you are lawfully present in the USA.
2. Temporary visa holders show an unexpired passport, unexpired visa, and I-94 record, or an employment authorization document (EAD), as proof of legal status. The DMV verifies these documents through the federal SAVE system.
3. Complete the application and pay the fee. In California, the fee is nonrefundable; the application and fee are valid for 12 months.
4. A vision test is administered.
5. Written test (knowledge test): In California, you have three attempts for each test. In New Jersey, the test has 50 questions; if you fail, you may retake it after 7 days.
6. Course: In New York, most drivers complete an approved 5-hour Pre-Licensing Course.
7. Road test: It is conducted by appointment. You must arrive in a registered, inspected, and insured vehicle.
   • If you applied with a foreign license in California, a licensed accompanying driver must be with you when traveling to and from the test.
   • If you fail, you must wait 14 days in California and pay $7 to retake the test. The waiting period in New Jersey is also 14 days.
8. Surrendering your foreign license: In New York, after passing the road test, you give your Turkish license to the examiner. If you do not want it retained, it will be destroyed. A retained license is returned when you surrender your New York license.
9. The card arrives by mail. In California, the temporary document is valid for 60 days; the card arrives within 3–4 weeks.

• New York (DMV)
  • The written test is available in multiple languages; ask the DMV for the language list.
  • Foreign nationals who document their lawful presence may obtain a REAL ID; Enhanced ID is issued only to U.S. citizens. A card based on a DHS document states "TEMPORARY VISITOR" and the expiration date of your DHS document.
• New Jersey (MVC)
  • In addition to English and sign language, the written test is available in the following languages, including Turkish: Arabic, Chinese, French, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Turkish, Hindi, Albanian, and Spanish.
  • First-time drivers age 21 and older follow the "Adult Road" path: examination permit → at least 3 months of supervised driving → road test → probationary license → 1 year of unsupervised driving → basic license.
  • The application uses the "6 Points of ID" system and requires identification, proof of a New Jersey address, and an SSN, ITIN, or affidavit.
  • Fees (manual, 09/2025 edition): examination permit $10; four-year standard basic license $24, REAL ID $35.
• California (DMV)
  • People with a foreign license follow the same application process as people coming from another state and must also take a road test.
  • Anyone who proves lawful presence, including green card holders and student and work visa, DACA, and TPS holders, may obtain a standard or REAL ID license. For people with temporary status, the card expires on the same day as the document proving lawful presence.
  • California also issues licenses regardless of immigration status (AB 60). An AB 60 license cannot be used to obtain a REAL ID.
  • The manual is published in nine languages.
• Texas (DPS)
  • Newcomers and first-time applicants apply in person by appointment and provide fingerprints for a criminal history check.
  • You must pass the written and road tests administered by the state or an approved private testing organization.
  • Proof of citizenship or lawful presence, an SSN, and a Social Security card are required. Documents must not be expired.
• Florida (FLHSMV) and Illinois (Secretary of State): See the official manuals for application documents and tests (in the list below).

• Since May 7, 2025, state driver's licenses that are not REAL ID-compliant have not been accepted at airport security checkpoints.
• REAL ID-compliant cards generally have a star. New York, Michigan, Minnesota, Vermont, and Washington Enhanced driver's licenses are also accepted.
• Other accepted identification for foreign nationals: a passport issued by a foreign government, a green card, and an employment authorization card (EAD, I-766). In other words, you can use your Turkish passport on domestic flights.
• A passenger without accepted identification pays $45 for TSA ConfirmID as of February 1, 2026; TSA will attempt to verify the passenger's identity by another method.
• TSA accepts the listed identification for up to 2 years after expiration. Paper temporary licenses are not accepted.
• People under 18 do not have to show identification to TSA on domestic flights. Ask the airline about its rules separately.
• People with temporary status: temporary visa holders, people awaiting a decision on an asylum application, TPS holders, people granted deferred action, and people awaiting a green card receive a "temporary" or "limited-term" REAL ID.
  • The card cannot be valid longer than your period of stay. If your stay has no specific expiration date, it is valid for no more than 1 year.
  • These cards cannot be renewed online; you must apply in person with your documents.
• Green card holders, conditional green card holders, people granted asylum, and refugees may obtain a full-term REAL ID.
• Parole is not one of the lawful-status categories under REAL ID rules.

• New York DMV: dmv.ny.gov
• New Jersey MVC: nj.gov/mvc · offices Monday–Friday 08:00–16:30, Saturday 08:00–15:00
• California DMV: road test appointments +1 800 777 0133 (during business hours)
• Texas DPS: application requirements · appointments
• Florida FLHSMV: manuals page
• Illinois Secretary of State: ilsos.gov
• Other states: USA.gov state list

• Assuming that an IDP is a driver's license and not carrying the original Turkish license.
• Continuing to drive with a foreign license after its permitted period has expired once you begin living in the state (30 days in New York).
• Going to the road test in a vehicle with missing insurance or registration.
• Going on a domestic flight with a paper temporary license.
• Forgetting to renew your REAL ID when your visa is extended.
• Paying unofficial "driver's license agents." See 1.12 Fraud warnings.

• How long can I drive with my Turkish license? It varies by state. In New Jersey, up to 1 year. In New York, you may use it as a visitor; once you become a resident, you must apply for a New York license within 30 days. In Florida, if you start working or enroll your child in a public school, you must obtain a Florida license within 30 days.
• Can I take the written test in Turkish? Yes, in New Jersey. In other states, ask the DMV about test languages.
• Is my Turkish passport sufficient for a domestic flight? Yes. A foreign government passport is among the forms of identification accepted by TSA.
• My visa was extended. Can I renew my license online? No. Temporary REAL IDs must be renewed in person with your new status document.
• I do not have an SSN; can I get a license? It depends on the state. New Jersey accepts an ITIN or affidavit instead of an SSN. California issues AB 60 licenses regardless of status, but a REAL ID cannot be obtained with this card.

• New Jersey Driver Manual (PDF)
• California Driver Handbook (PDF)
• Florida Driver Handbook (PDF)
• Illinois Rules of the Road (PDF)
• New York Driver Manual (online)
• Texas DPS – Application requirements
• NJ MVC – 6 Points of ID document list
• TSA – Accepted identification
• TSA – REAL ID frequently asked questions
• USA.gov – Your state's DMV
• Related: 10.6 Buying a vehicle, insurance · 12.9 Traffic tickets and police traffic stops