Similar to how we get driving license in India, the process works the same way in USA as well. There are few minor tweaks to the process and/or the rules depending on the state that you live in but majority of these are the same throughout the United States.

Getting a Driving License is also important as it also serves the purpose of a form of ID throughout the USA for majority of the Government and Private establishments (instead of a SSN/State ID, you can just show a DL for Age Proof or Address Proof)

Basically, you would need to visit the Motor Vehicle Commission or the Department of Motor Vehicles as known in few states and:

1. Complete a Vision test
2. Pay a fees for processing
3. Finish a Written / Online test to get a Learner’s Permit
4. After you get the Learner’s Permit, attend driving classes through an external Driving Institute
5. Attend a theory session in-person (depending on the state)
6. Schedule a Driving Test Exam date with MVC/DMV
7. Attend the Driving Test and get a Drivers Permit on the same day

If you already know driving in India, it would be easier if you attend driving classes and take the exam as it would also help in learning the driving rules in USA. If you already have a driving license in any state in USA, you would need to take it to the DMV to get it transferred to the current state you live in, whenever you relocate across the USA

The DL would have 11 points assigned to it by default. Whenever you commit any moving traffic violation, certain points would be deducted from your total points on the DL. If you lose all 11 points within a 18 months period, your license would be suspended. Of course, there are certain tweaks to this depending on the State you live in.

Apart from points deduction, insurance also increases when you start accumulating points on your driving license and hence it pays to be careful and stick to rules when driving.

Few DMV websites are given below for reference for the process to get a license:

• http://www.state.nj.us/mvc/license/initiallicense.htm
• https://www.dmv.org/ny-new-york/apply-license.php

International Driving Permit from India

• If you have received an IDP from India before coming to the USA, you are allowed to rent or drive a car with an Indian License and IDP in majority of the states in USA
• Some states do not ask for an IDP and allows you to hire/drive a car by showing an Indian License – this depends on the state
• Many states do not allow you to drive for a longer period using IDP – you would need to get the State’s Driving License soon. For example
  • NJ allows you to drive using Indian License and IDP for maximum one year
  • If you become a New York State resident, you must get a New York State driver license within 30 days

Reference URLs:

• https://dmv.ny.gov/driver-license/drive-new-york-state
• http://www.state.nj.us/mvc/drivertopics/noncitizens.htm
• https://www.usa.gov/visitors-driving