Driver's license for immigrants: rules in all 50 states
Moving to the U.S. means getting a state driver's license. The rules differ a lot between states: some exchange certain foreign licenses without tests, some issue licenses regardless of immigration status. Pick your state below.
Updated October 21, 2026
Compare the states
Click a state for the full guide: documents, SSN, steps and fees, each fact quoted from the official DMV source.
Show only:
| State | Exchange (no tests) | Any status | Deadline after moving |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 3 countries* | No | — |
| Alaska | 1 countries* | No | 90 days after becoming a resident (30 days for commercial drivers) |
| Arizona | 4 countries | No | — |
| Arkansas | — | No | 30 days after becoming a resident |
| California | No exchange agreements | Yes | — |
| Colorado | 6 countries | Yes | 30 days after establishing Colorado residency |
| Connecticut | 3 countries | Yes | 90 days after establishing residency (transfer page; another DMV page says 60 days) |
| Delaware | 3 countries | Yes | 60 days after becoming a Delaware resident |
| District of Columbia | No exchange agreements | Yes | 30 days for non-US citizens not on a visitor visa (Non-US Citizens page); the general Driver Licenses page says 60 days |
| Florida | — | No | 30 days after becoming a resident |
| Georgia | 2 countries | No | 30 days after becoming a Georgia resident |
| Hawaii | 3 countries | Yes | — |
| Idaho | 3 countries* | No | 30 days after moving to Idaho |
| Indiana | 2 countries* | No | Apply within 60 days of becoming an Indiana resident |
| Iowa | 4 countries | No | — |
| Kansas | 1 countries | No | 90 days after moving to Kansas |
| Kentucky | 2 countries | No | 30 days after establishing Kentucky residency |
| Louisiana | 5 countries | No | 30 days after establishing domicile (stated for out-of-state license transfers) |
| Maine | 1 countries | No | 30 days after becoming a Maine resident |
| Maryland | 5 countries | Yes | 60 days after moving to Maryland (stated for out-of-state licenses) |
| Massachusetts | 6 countries | Yes | — |
| Michigan | — | No | — |
| Minnesota | 1 countries | Yes | — |
| Mississippi | — | No | — |
| Missouri | — | No | As soon as you establish residency in Missouri |
| Montana | 2 countries | No | Start the application within 60 days of moving to Montana |
| Nebraska | — | No | 30 days (stated for new residents with a license from another state) |
| Nevada | — | Yes | 30 days after establishing residency |
| New Hampshire | 2 countries | No | 60 days after establishing residency |
| New Jersey | 2 countries | Yes | 60 days after moving to New Jersey (or before the current license expires, whichever comes first) |
| New Mexico | — | Yes | — |
| New York | 1 countries | Yes | 30 days after becoming a New York resident |
| North Carolina | — | No | 60 days after establishing permanent residence in North Carolina |
| North Dakota | — | No | 60 days after residence is established (residence = 90 consecutive days living in North Dakota) |
| Ohio | 6 countries | No | 30 days after establishing Ohio residency |
| Oklahoma | 5 countries | No | — |
| Oregon | 5 countries | Yes | 30 days after becoming an Oregon resident |
| Pennsylvania | 4 countries | No | — |
| Rhode Island | No exchange agreements | Yes | 30 days after moving to Rhode Island and establishing residency |
| South Carolina | 8 countries | No | — |
| South Dakota | — | No | License required once you live in South Dakota more than 90 days |
| Tennessee | — | No | 30 days after establishing residency |
| Texas | 5 countries | No | 90 days after moving to Texas |
| Utah | 2 countries | Yes | — |
| Vermont | 1 countries | Yes | — |
| Virginia | 6 countries | Yes | 60 days after moving to Virginia |
| Washington | 5 countries | Yes | 30 days after moving to Washington |
| West Virginia | 3 countries | No | 30 days after taking up residence in West Virginia |
| Wisconsin | 4 countries | No | 60 days for a regular license (30 days for a CDL) |
| Wyoming | — | No | One year from the time you establish residency |
* only the road test is waived
Visitor or resident: why it matters
Most states let visitors drive on a valid foreign license for a limited time. Once you become a resident (you rent or buy a home, take a job, or enroll children in school) a deadline starts, and you must get that state's license. The deadline is set by each state; see the table.
An International Driving Permit is only a translation of your license. It is valid only together with your national license and does not replace a U.S. license.
License exchange (reciprocity)
Some states have agreements with specific countries, most often Germany, France, South Korea, Taiwan, Japan and Canada. Holders of those licenses can get a state license without the knowledge and road tests, or without the road test only. Licenses from countries that are not on a state's list are not exchanged: you take the vision test, the knowledge test and the road test like any new driver.
Immigration status, REAL ID and standard licenses
A REAL ID license requires proof of lawful status in the U.S. Since May 7, 2025 a REAL ID or another accepted document (such as a passport) is needed to board domestic flights.
Several states also issue a standard license or driving privilege card regardless of immigration status. It lets you drive legally, but it is marked "not for federal purposes" and cannot be used to board planes. The table shows which states do this.
No Social Security number?
Many states ask for an SSN. If you are not eligible for one, states usually accept a letter from the Social Security Administration confirming that, a signed affidavit, or in some states an ITIN. Each state guide shows the exact rule.
Questions
As a visitor, usually yes for a limited time, with an International Driving Permit recommended. After you become a resident, each state sets a deadline to get its license.
Only states with reciprocity agreements, for specific countries. The table above lists how many countries each state accepts; the state guide names them.
In several states, yes: they issue a standard license or driving privilege card regardless of immigration status. It is not valid as federal ID.