How to Get Your Driver's License in the USA

This article was co-authored by Jacqueline Regev and by wikiHow staff writer, Jennifer Mueller, JD. Jacqueline Regev is a Driving Instructor and the Founder & CEO of Bubble of Safety Driving School. With over 20 years of education experience, she specializes in encouraging people to develop their skills to become safe and courteous drivers. Jacqueline earned a Bachelor's Degree from UCLA and an MA from Chapman University. She is also pursuing a PhD from UC Santa Barbara.

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You must have a driver's license to legally operate a motor vehicle in the United States. If you are new to driving, start with a learner's permit. Take your time and practice, and schedule your appointment for your driver's test when you're ready. Driver's licenses are issued by the individual states, so rules vary. You typically must pass a written, driving, and vision test before you can get your driver's license. [1] X Research source

Getting Your Learner's Permit

• You can pick up a print copy of your state's driver's handbook at your local DMV. Most states also have their driver's handbooks available online. Download the most recent version from your state's official DMV website – you may find similar copies elsewhere online, but they may not be the most recent version.
• The driver's handbook includes all of the rules of the road that you'll need to know if you want to be a safe driver. You're responsible for knowing all the rules, even though you may not be tested on all of them.

• You must be a minimum age to get a learner's permit – anywhere from 14 to 16 years old, depending on the state.
• Drivers under 18 years of age must obey all graduated driver license laws which vary from state to state.
• Some states, such as California, require that you complete driver's education courses before you can apply for a learner's permit. [4] X Research source

• Proof of identity typically includes a birth certificate, state-issued I.D. card, or passport.
• Documents to prove residency include utility bills or bank statements in your name with your home address. If you're under 18, you can use a school transcript or letter, and can also get a parent or guardian to vouch for you. [5] X Research source
• If you're under the age of 18, many states also require proof that you are attending school.

• Find out what methods of payment are accepted if you're paying your fees in person. Some DMVs only take a check or money order.

• If you need a hearing interpreter, or need to take the written test in a language other than English, check with the DMV before you go to take the test to make sure accommodations can be made.
• The learner's permit test typically focuses on your knowledge of signs and basic traffic rules such as using your turn signal and passing on the left.
• While it's possible you could pass a learner's permit simply from having observed other drivers for years, it's still wise to read through the driver's manual at least once or twice. Things other drivers do habitually may not follow the exact letter of the law.

• If you already wear glasses or contact lenses, plan to wear them when you go to get your permit. The driver's license examiner will add an "endorsement" to your permit that states you wear corrective lenses. If you get pulled over while driving and you're not wearing glasses or contacts, your license to drive isn't considered valid.
• If you have a light prescription and only wear glasses occasionally, you may want to try to pass the test without them. That way if you happen to get pulled over and you don't have them, you won't risk getting cited for driving without a license.

• Pay attention to how long your learner's permit is valid. If your learner's permit is about to expire and you still don't feel ready to take the driver's test to get your full license, you typically can get it renewed.
• Depending on how old you are, you may be required to have a learner's permit for a certain period of time before you can get your full license.
• Some states also may require you to show that you've logged a certain number of practice hours before you will be allowed to take the driver's test.
• If you are under the age of 21, your permit will be shaped vertically. If you are 21 years of age or older, your permit will be shaped horizontally. This lets someone know if you are of legal age to buy alcohol or tobacco.

Learning to Drive

• If you're an adult, it still may be in your best interest to take formal driving lessons, especially if you've never driven a car before. Even if you're already licensed in another country, driving lessons can help you practice with American driving laws that may be different from those in your home country.
• Some states may require you to take other programs, such as drug and alcohol traffic awareness courses. Check these requirements when you get your permit. [8] X Research source

• Even if you've taken a driver's education course, you still want to get plenty of practice before you take your road test to get your full license. Driving with the DMV examiner for the test will likely make you nervous, so you want to be comfortable behind the wheel.
• Ideally, you want someone who is patient and has been driving for a long time, such as one of your parents or an older family member.

• The written test to get a full license typically is longer and more in-depth than the test you took to get a learner's permit.
• You may want to get a friend or family member to help you by quizzing you or asking you about the rules in the handbook.

• Some states have created smartphone apps that you can download for free. These apps are interactive and give you practice questions as well as scoring and telling you the areas where you can improve.
• Taking practice tests is a good way to practice the test settings. It can help people overcome anxiety.
• It helps re-familiarize oneself with the key content covered in the test.

Getting Your Driver's License

• Find out if you are expected to bring your own car or if you'll take the test on a DMV vehicle. Some states require you to take the driving test in the car you plan to drive.
• Make sure a licensed driver goes with you. If you don't pass the tests and get your license, you won't be able to drive yourself home.

Study the handbook to pass the written test. "I was really anxious to take the learner's permit test since I'd never looked at driving rules before. Reading through the driver's handbook chapter by chapter gave me the knowledge I needed to pass the written exam on my first attempt. Focusing on those study materials was so important for me to succeed." - Maila L.

Become a confident driver through practice. "The most helpful part of getting my license was practicing driving with my dad on streets near our house after school and on weekends. At first I felt nervous behind the wheel, but after spending time practicing I got way more comfortable. By the time I took my road test, I felt ready to drive anywhere on my own." - George B.

Obtain the proper documents to apply for a license. "As an 18-year-old applying for my first driver's license, I had no idea what paperwork I needed. This guide outlined exactly what documents to bring, like my birth certificate, utility bill, and school transcript. Showing up to the DMV prepared with everything required made getting my license a smooth and fast process." - Melvin D.

Know what to expect on exam day. "I used this article to learn about what would happen at the DMV on my license test day. With the details provided, I scheduled an appointment, studied hard, and brought the right documents and fees. Going in informed ahead of time really reduced my anxiety and helped me pass the written and road tests." - Erik W.

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• The application acts for basic identification information, including your full name and address. It also may ask for descriptive information, such as your height and weight.
• If you are under the age of 18, typically your parent or guardian also must sign your application.

• If you do have your learner's permit, find out if you will still be expected to bring other original documents, such as your birth certificate. You don't want to carry these kind of documents around with you unless it's absolutely necessary.
• In some states you'll need to bring proof of your driving time on your learner's permit or a certificate from a driver's education course. If you're under 18, you also may have to bring proof that you are attending school.
• The fees for a driver's license vary among states, but generally will be under $100. You also may have to pay an additional fee to get your driving test.

• In some states you must pass the written test before you can schedule your driving test. In others, you'll take both tests at the same time.

• The examiner will be watching that you are obeying all traffic rules, even if you're on a closed course. Remember to obey all traffic lights and signs, and always use your turn signals.

• If you failed either the written test or the driving test, find out if there's a waiting period before you can take it again, and if you have to pay an additional fee.

• You may need to take another vision test before you get your full license. This may be waived if your learner's permit is only a year old or less. Even if you do have to take another vision test, you should have no problem passing it as long as everything has remained the same since you took the test for your learner's permit.
• When you get your license, inspect it carefully to make sure everything is spelled correctly and there are no mistakes. You typically have a limited window to get mistakes on licenses corrected for free.