Guides
Short, plain-language guides based on official sources. Each one lists its sources at the end.
Learner's permit and teen license rules by state
Minimum permit age, how long to hold the permit, supervised driving hours and night limits for new drivers, state by state, from official driver handbooks.
ReadHow to Get a Driver's License as an Immigrant in the U.S.
Step-by-step guide for immigrants: deadlines, documents, Social Security rules, knowledge, vision and road tests in New York, California, Texas and Florida.
ReadTaking the DMV test in Russian or Spanish
Which states offer the DMV knowledge test in Spanish or Russian, which do not, and how to prepare when your test is in English.
ReadTaking the DMV Test in Spanish: What Each State Allows
Can you take the DMV written test in Spanish? Official rules for Texas, California, New York and Florida: languages, handbooks, interpreters and CDL.
ReadDriving in the U.S. with a foreign license
Can you drive in the U.S. with a license from another country, and how to get a state license as a new resident in New York, Texas, California and Florida, from official DMV sources.
ReadDriver's License Without an SSN: State Programs, Documents and Limits
Getting a driver's license without SSN in California, New York, New Jersey, Washington and Colorado: documents, tests and federal limits.
ReadWhat to Bring to the DMV Permit Test and the Road Test
What to bring to the DMV permit test and road test: documents, glasses, fees, the car and a licensed driver. Official rules for NY, CA, TX, FL and PA.
ReadDMV road test: what examiners check and score
How the DMV road test is scored in California and New York: the vehicle check, mirrors, signals, stops, backing, critical errors and retest rules.
ReadDriver's License Points System: How Points Work in the U.S.
How the driver's license points system works in NY, FL, CA, NJ and PA: points per violation, suspension limits, how long points count and courses.
ReadREAL ID: what it is and when you need it
What REAL ID is, when you need it, how to tell if your license is REAL ID (the star) and which IDs you can use instead at the airport, according to TSA.
ReadHow to get a commercial driver's license (CDL)
CDL classes A, B and C, endorsements H, N, P, S, T and X, the learner's permit (CLP) and the required entry-level driver training, based on FMCSA.
ReadThe U.S. citizenship test: what to expect
How the naturalization test works: the civics test from 128 USCIS questions (20 asked, 12 correct to pass), the English reading and writing test, and how to study.
ReadCar seat and booster seat laws by state
Until what age children must ride in a car seat or booster seat in each state, and when a child may not be left alone in a car, from official driver handbooks.
ReadSpeed limits by state
Default speed limits by state when no sign is posted: rural interstates, highways, residential and business districts and school zones, from official handbooks.
ReadDrunk driving laws by state: BAC limits
Legal blood alcohol (BAC) limits by state for drivers 21+, under 21 and CDL holders, and the license penalty for refusing a chemical test, from official handbooks.
ReadParking distances by state
How close you may park to a fire hydrant, crosswalk, STOP sign, railroad crossing and fire station, and how far from the curb, in each state, from official handbooks.
ReadCell phone laws for drivers by state
Whether adults may hold a phone to talk while driving, and the age under which drivers may not use a phone at all, state by state, from official handbooks.
ReadSchool bus, move over and bicycle passing laws by state
How far to stop from a school bus, whether to stop on a divided highway, what to do near stopped emergency vehicles, and how much room to give bicyclists, by state.
ReadLicense renewal, insurance and points by state
How long a driver's license is valid, how soon to report a new address, minimum liability insurance, point limits and when a crash must be reported, by state.
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