How can I apply for a drivers license?
FAQ.
Answered by Jennifer Glass, Immigration Coordinator of the International Student Resource Center
Last updated: July, 2026
How can I apply for a drivers license?
Driver’s licenses are issued by the state where you live. Each state’s rules differ, but you’ll generally visit the state agency with your immigration documents, proof of local address, your Social Security card (if you have an SSN), and some form of auto insurance.
What to bring to the DMV
Check your state’s motor vehicle agency for exact instructions on how to apply and what to bring with you in your location. In general, here’s what’s needed:
Passport and visa
Form I-94 (physical printout from i94.cbp.dhs.gov)
Form I-20 or DS-2019 (physical printout)
Proof of local residence (lease or utility bill with your name and address included. You can also try asking your school for a letter of enrollment with your on-campus address)
Auto insurance documentation
SSN if you have one (in some cases if you don’t, you might need to get a letter from the SSA stating you’re ineligible)
Real ID note
REAL ID-compliant forms of identification are now required to board domestic flights in the US. If you have, or are issued, a standard state driver’s license (not a REAL ID), while it won’t get you on a plane, it does certify lawful driving in the U.S. There are a number of reasons why your license might not be issued as a REAL ID, including if you don’t have an SSN or if your F-1 visa has expired. These are two requirements for a REAL ID that are not requirements for F-1 status, so don’t be alarmed that there is anything wrong with your status if you don’t get a REAL ID.
Know that your unexpired passport functions as a REAL ID for domestic flights in the U.S. Talk with your international office for more information on your state’s process.
