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- How to Apply for Your First U.S. Drivers License
- How to Transfer an Out-of-State Drivers License
- Requirements for Drivers License Renewal
- Application Procedures for all 50 US States
- Information on Tests: Written, Vision and Road
- Information on Proof of Legal Immigration Status
- Primary and Secondary Forms for Identification
- Difference between a Drivers License and a State ID
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Click on the button below to request your free immigration book.
Important: Our immigration books are available only to libraries and community organizations.
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US Drivers License General Information
A driver license or state ID is an official government-issued ID form of identification in the United States. In
addition to operating a motor vehicle, a U.S. driver’s license can be used as a
form of identification for several other purposes such as: opening bank
accounts, traveling within the U.S., cashing checks and as proof of legal age to
buy alcohol and tobacco. A State ID can be used as a form of identification, but
not only a driver’s license can be used to legally operate a motor vehicle.
Each of the individual 50 United States of America issue their own drivers
licenses and state IDs; Unlike other countries, the United States federal
government does not issue a national drivers licenses or identification card.
Eligibility Requirements
A written test, road test and vision test are generic
requirements for obtaining a U.S. drivers license but each of the 50 U.S. states
and U.S. territories have their own requirements and application procedures.
There are different procedures for out-of-state transfers and renewals and
first-time applications. Some states allow foreign licenses to be used a proof
of an individual's ability to operate a motor vehicle, therefore not requiring
the individual to take the road test again. Different “classes” of licenses
depending on what type of vehicle you wish to drive: cars, motorcycles, trucks
or commercial vehicles, exist. You may also transfer your out-of-state license
to your new home state. The procedure is different from state to state, but in
general you have to take the vision test and/or the written test excluding the
driving test.
Proof of Immigration Status
Since 9/11, the federal government has added extra
security measures when obtaining many legal documents such as a state
identification card, a driver license, and/or a social security card. The Real
ID Act is a new federal law that made it a requirement to show proof of legal
immigration status in the U.S. to obtain a drivers license from any state. As of
May 2008, driver licenses issued by the states that don’t meet these
requirements will not be accepted as legal identification to gain entry into a
federal building or to board an airplane in the United States. (All 50 U.S.
states are gradually updating their requirements and starting to request proof
of [legal] immigration status in the United States. However, in several states
this is still not a requirement.)
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE A FREE COPY OF THIS U.S. IMMIGRATION BOOK Our publications are available free of charge to any community organization or library located in the United States. Please contact us for more information.
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