How To Get A Drivers’ License in 2025

Driving is essential in the US because it’s the primary way to get around. However, you must have a US driving license. Even those who have moved in here with their foreign driving licenses must apply for a permit to drive, even if they are allowed to use it for some time if it is written in English. People from countries that do not use English as an official language have to apply for an international driving permit before leaving their country.

The international permit is translated into English, but you must use it and the original one when driving in the US. Visitors and tourists who intend to be in the US for a short time can use this arrangement without applying for a US license for a whole year. However, for people who intend to live in the country, most states give you between 30 and 90 days to get a US driving license. A few countries have agreements that allow their citizen to exchange the original permit with an American.

Steps to apply for a US driving license

If you are an expat who wishes to get an American driving license, you must follow several application steps. They include providing precise information and fees that you must pay. The requirements to get a driving permit differ in various states, but the main steps are the same. Here are is what you have to do:

Gather the required documents

Before you go to the nearest Department of Motor Vehicles branch and carry the needed documents, which include:

• An identification document with your picture, name, and date of birth. A passport can serve this purpose.
• Social Security Number or a document to prove that you cannot get one.
• Prove that you are in the US legally with documents, including a permanent resident card, visa, or citizen certification, among others.
• An international driving license.
• A passport photo, though, is taken in some states; it is taken as part of the application process.

To begin, please fill out the application to provide your personal details. Note that you must be at least 21 years old to qualify for a driver’s license.

Pay the fees

You have to pay for required license fees, which depend on your residence state. Some charge you between $30 and $90 as a one-time fee, but others require you to pay a small amount, like $5, annually. Also, the payment step comes later when issuing the license document.

Take the tests

Before you can get a license, you must take both practical and written driving tests. The written test has between 20 and 50 questions, all of which are about traffic regulations and rules. Some tests are timed, while others are not, and they are sometimes available in a language you understand better. After passing the written exam, you schedule the practical exam, which assesses your ability to control a vehicle, including reversing and parking skills.

If you pass the exams, you can try again after a few weeks, but you may have to pay more and take extra tests. Besides, if you fail thrice in some states, you will have to start the application process from square one for the fourth attempt.

Get a vision test

The law doesn’t require applicants to pass the vision medical test to get a driving license. The test can be done in the nearest DMV office, or you can get a test report from a medical professional. If you must wear contacts, some states place a particular restriction on the license. Applicants with low vision are restricted to daytime driving and must wear their recommended medical special lenses.

Get the license

After submitting all documents and passing all exams, a temporary driver’s license is issued, depending on your resident state. The permanent license is mailed a few weeks later to your address.

Conclusion

A driver’s license is a document that you can use to prove identity, age, or during voting. In some cases, you can use it to board domestic flights. This document is valid for eight years in most states, but in some, you have to renew it after four years. Some states recognize your license as valid until you are 65 years old without the need to restore it.