I'm a new resident in New York: what do I do with my license?

Compare with the state you moved from

Choose the state you came from to see the main differences from New York. Every value comes from that state's official manual (with the page number) or from its license guide. Where a manual does not state a rule, we say so instead of guessing.

Key rules in New York

Each rule comes from the New York driver manual or from the license guide, with its source.

Licensing and paperwork

• Deadline to switch your license

  Within 30 days of becoming a New York resident, exchange your out-of-state license for a New York one.

  What the manual says

  • The deadline: 30 days

    If you have a license from another U.S. state or territory, a federal district or a Canadian province, you must exchange it within 30 days after you become a New York resident. Living in New York for 90 days is considered evidence that you are a resident. Students from other states or countries who attend school in New York are normally not residents, so they do not need to exchange their license.

  • The manual states that drivers who have moved here must turn in their out-of-state driver license and get a New York license within 30 days of becoming a permanent resident.

  Source: New York State Driver's Manual (Form MV-21), page 6

  Source: [1]

• Liability insurance

  Liability insurance is required; minimum $50,000 for one death, $100,000 for two or more, $10,000 property damage.

  What the manual says

  • Minimum liability coverage is required of $50,000 against the death of one person.
  • Minimum liability coverage is required of $100,000 against the death of two or more persons.
  • Minimum liability coverage is required of $10,000 against property damage.

  Source: New York State Driver's Manual (Form MV-21), page 27

• Change of address

  Notify DMV within 10 days of a change of address (by mail, form MV-232, or online).

  What the manual says

  • The manual states that if you change your address you must notify DMV within 10 days by mail, on a Change-of-Address Form (MV-232), or online.

  • Keeping your license

    Your first New York license is valid for up to 5 years and expires on your birthday. A renewed license is valid for 8 years, and you can renew up to 1 year before it expires; if DMV has your current address, it mails you a renewal notice about 45 days before. If you move, you must tell DMV your new address within 10 days.

  Source: New York State Driver's Manual (Form MV-21), page 17

  Source: [2] [3]

• How long the license lasts

  Your first license is valid up to 5 years; a renewed license is valid 8 years.

  What the manual says

  • Keeping your license

    Your first New York license is valid for up to 5 years and expires on your birthday. A renewed license is valid for 8 years, and you can renew up to 1 year before it expires; if DMV has your current address, it mails you a renewal notice about 45 days before. If you move, you must tell DMV your new address within 10 days.

  • Keeping your license

    Your first New York license is valid for up to 5 years and expires on your birthday. A renewed license is valid for 8 years, and you can renew up to 1 year before it expires; if DMV has your current address, it mails you a renewal notice about 45 days before. If you move, you must tell DMV your new address within 10 days.

  Source: [2] [3]

Road rules

• Teen driving hours

  Junior license, upstate 9 PM-5 AM: only home-work or school-course trips unless supervised; New York City: not allowed.

  What the manual says

  • Follow the junior license rules

    You may carry no more than 1 passenger under 21, unless the passengers are your immediate family or your supervising driver is your licensed parent, guardian, a person acting as your parent, a driver education teacher or a driving school instructor. Other rules depend on the region:

    • Upstate New York, 5 AM to 9 PM: you may drive without a supervising driver.
    • Upstate New York, 9 PM to 5 AM: you may drive alone only directly between home and work or a school course. Otherwise, you need a supervising driver who is 21 or older and has a valid license for the car: your parent, guardian, a person acting as your parent, a driver education teacher or a driving school instructor.
    • New York City (the 5 boroughs): you may not drive at all with a junior license. DMV advises junior permit holders who plan to drive a lot in New York City to wait until they are 18 to take the road test.
    • Long Island (Nassau and Suffolk counties): except in certain cases, you may drive only with a supervising driver (your parent, guardian, a person acting as your parent, a person they name in writing, a driver education teacher or a driving school instructor). One exception: from 5 AM to 9 PM, you may drive alone directly between home and work.
    • When you use the home-to-work exception (Upstate between 9 PM and 5 AM, or on Long Island between 5 AM and 9 PM), you must carry a filled-out Certificate of Employment (MV-58A).

  • Follow the junior license rules

    You may carry no more than 1 passenger under 21, unless the passengers are your immediate family or your supervising driver is your licensed parent, guardian, a person acting as your parent, a driver education teacher or a driving school instructor. Other rules depend on the region:

    • Upstate New York, 5 AM to 9 PM: you may drive without a supervising driver.
    • Upstate New York, 9 PM to 5 AM: you may drive alone only directly between home and work or a school course. Otherwise, you need a supervising driver who is 21 or older and has a valid license for the car: your parent, guardian, a person acting as your parent, a driver education teacher or a driving school instructor.
    • New York City (the 5 boroughs): you may not drive at all with a junior license. DMV advises junior permit holders who plan to drive a lot in New York City to wait until they are 18 to take the road test.
    • Long Island (Nassau and Suffolk counties): except in certain cases, you may drive only with a supervising driver (your parent, guardian, a person acting as your parent, a person they name in writing, a driver education teacher or a driving school instructor). One exception: from 5 AM to 9 PM, you may drive alone directly between home and work.
    • When you use the home-to-work exception (Upstate between 9 PM and 5 AM, or on Long Island between 5 AM and 9 PM), you must carry a filled-out Certificate of Employment (MV-58A).

  • Follow the junior license rules

    You may carry no more than 1 passenger under 21, unless the passengers are your immediate family or your supervising driver is your licensed parent, guardian, a person acting as your parent, a driver education teacher or a driving school instructor. Other rules depend on the region:

    • Upstate New York, 5 AM to 9 PM: you may drive without a supervising driver.
    • Upstate New York, 9 PM to 5 AM: you may drive alone only directly between home and work or a school course. Otherwise, you need a supervising driver who is 21 or older and has a valid license for the car: your parent, guardian, a person acting as your parent, a driver education teacher or a driving school instructor.
    • New York City (the 5 boroughs): you may not drive at all with a junior license. DMV advises junior permit holders who plan to drive a lot in New York City to wait until they are 18 to take the road test.
    • Long Island (Nassau and Suffolk counties): except in certain cases, you may drive only with a supervising driver (your parent, guardian, a person acting as your parent, a person they name in writing, a driver education teacher or a driving school instructor). One exception: from 5 AM to 9 PM, you may drive alone directly between home and work.
    • When you use the home-to-work exception (Upstate between 9 PM and 5 AM, or on Long Island between 5 AM and 9 PM), you must carry a filled-out Certificate of Employment (MV-58A).

  Source: [4]

• Passengers for teen drivers

  Junior license: one passenger under 21, unless family or supervised by parent, guardian or instructor.

  What the manual says

  • Follow the junior license rules

    You may carry no more than 1 passenger under 21, unless the passengers are your immediate family or your supervising driver is your licensed parent, guardian, a person acting as your parent, a driver education teacher or a driving school instructor. Other rules depend on the region:

    • Upstate New York, 5 AM to 9 PM: you may drive without a supervising driver.
    • Upstate New York, 9 PM to 5 AM: you may drive alone only directly between home and work or a school course. Otherwise, you need a supervising driver who is 21 or older and has a valid license for the car: your parent, guardian, a person acting as your parent, a driver education teacher or a driving school instructor.
    • New York City (the 5 boroughs): you may not drive at all with a junior license. DMV advises junior permit holders who plan to drive a lot in New York City to wait until they are 18 to take the road test.
    • Long Island (Nassau and Suffolk counties): except in certain cases, you may drive only with a supervising driver (your parent, guardian, a person acting as your parent, a person they name in writing, a driver education teacher or a driving school instructor). One exception: from 5 AM to 9 PM, you may drive alone directly between home and work.
    • When you use the home-to-work exception (Upstate between 9 PM and 5 AM, or on Long Island between 5 AM and 9 PM), you must carry a filled-out Certificate of Employment (MV-58A).
  • The manual states that when driving with a junior license, you cannot drive with more than one passenger under the age of 21 unless they are members of your immediate family.

  Source: New York State Driver's Manual (Form MV-21), page 15

  Source: [4]

• Alcohol limit under 21

  Zero tolerance: under 21 with any measurable BAC (.02-.07) is a violation; six-month suspension.

  What the manual says

  • The manual states that under the state's zero tolerance law, it is a violation for a person under 21 to drive with any BAC that can be measured, from .02 to .07.
  • Under the Zero Tolerance Law, a driver under age 21 will have their license suspended for six months if found to have a BAC from .02 to .07.

  Source: New York State Driver's Manual (Form MV-21), page 57, 21

• Refusing a chemical test

  Refusal: license suspended at arraignment, revoked after DMV hearing even if found not guilty; first refusal over 21: one-year minimum revocation.

  What the manual says

  • The manual states that if you refuse to take the test after being arrested, your driver license will be suspended when you are arraigned in court on the alcohol- or drug-related charge, separate from whether you are guilty of that charge.
  • The manual states that if a DMV hearing confirms you refused the test, your driver license will be revoked even if you are found not guilty of the alcohol- or other drug-related violation.
  • Chemical test refusal by drivers over age 21 carries a minimum one-year revocation.

  Source: New York State Driver's Manual (Form MV-21), page 56, 21

• Seat belts

  Drivers and passengers 16 or older must buckle up; police can stop a vehicle for it alone.

  What the manual says

  • The manual explains that New York is a 'primary enforcement' state, meaning a police officer can pull you over just because you or a passenger isn't wearing a seat belt.
  • The manual states the driver can face a fine of up to $50 for failing to buckle up.
  • The manual states that a passenger age sixteen or older can face a fine of up to $50 if they fail to buckle up.

  Source: New York State Driver's Manual (Form MV-21), page 48

• Child safety seats

  Rear-facing until age 2 (or seat limit); ages 4-7 booster with lap-shoulder belt; 8-15 seat belt.

  What the manual says

  • The manual states a child must be restrained in the rear-facing position until they are two years old or reach the highest weight or height limit allowed by the car seat manufacturer.
  • The manual states a child between four and seven must be restrained in an appropriate federally approved child restraint system (commonly a booster seat) used with a lap and shoulder belt.
  • The manual states that all other passengers ages eight to fifteen must be properly restrained by a seat belt, one person per belt.

  Source: New York State Driver's Manual (Form MV-21), page 48

• Phone use while driving

  First offense: hand-held phone, up to $200 and 5 points; texting, up to $200; hands-free allowed anytime.

  What the manual says

  • The manual states a first offense for using a hand-held mobile telephone while driving could result in a fine of up to $200 and five license points.
  • The manual states a driver can use a hands-free telephone at any time.
  • The manual states the penalty for a first offense of texting or emailing while driving is a fine of up to $200.

  Source: New York State Driver's Manual (Form MV-21), page 52

• School buses

  Stop 20+ feet away for flashing red lights, also on the opposite side of a divided highway.

  What the manual says

  • You should stop at least 20 feet (6 m) away from a school bus that is flashing its red lights.
  • The manual states that you must stop for a school bus even if it is on the opposite side of a divided highway.

  Source: New York State Driver's Manual (Form MV-21), page 40

• Move Over law

  Slow down on all roads near stopped emergency vehicles; on multi-lane controlled-access roads, leave the adjacent lane if safe.

  What the manual says

  • The manual states the Move Over Law requires drivers to avoid colliding with an authorized emergency or hazard vehicle on the shoulder or highway with its emergency lights, one or more amber hazard lights, or a combination of amber and blue lights activated.
  • The manual states drivers must reduce speed on all roads when encountering such vehicles.
  • The manual states that on parkways, interstates, and other controlled access roads with multiple lanes, drivers are further required to move from the lane adjacent to the emergency or hazard vehicle unless traffic or other hazards prevent doing so safely.

  Source: New York State Driver's Manual (Form MV-21), page 35

• Headlights

  Half hour after sunset to half hour before sunrise, under 1,000 feet visibility, or when using wipers.

  What the manual says

  • The law requires you to use your headlights from one-half hour after the sun sets to one-half hour before the sun rises, when visibility is less than 1,000 feet (300 m), and when you use your windshield wipers to clear rain, snow, or sleet.
  • New York State law requires you to turn on your headlights when weather conditions require the use of windshield wipers to clear rain, snow, sleet or fog. "Daytime running lights" do not qualify as headlights.

  Source: New York State Driver's Manual (Form MV-21), page 63

• Right turn on red

  After full stop, yielding to traffic and pedestrians, unless signed no turn; New York City: only if signed.

  What the manual says

  • You can make a right turn at a steady red light after coming to a full stop and yielding the right-of-way to oncoming traffic and pedestrians.
  • You cannot turn at a red light if a NO TURN ON RED sign is posted or another sign, signal, or pavement marking prevents the turn.
  • In New York City, turning on a red light is not allowed unless a sign permits it.

  Source: New York State Driver's Manual (Form MV-21), page 31

• Speed limits

  No posted limit: 55 mph; New York City 25 mph unless posted; expressways normally 55, 65 in some rural areas.

  What the manual says

  • The manual states that if no speed limit is posted, you must drive no more than 55 mph (88 km/h).
  • The manual gives the example that the speed limit is 25 mph (48 km/h) in New York City unless another limit is posted.
  • The expressway speed limit is normally 55 mph (88 km/h), but can be posted at 65 mph (100 km/h) in some rural areas.

  Source: New York State Driver's Manual (Form MV-21), page 47, 62

• Points and suspension

  11 or more points within 18 months: DMV notifies you by mail of license suspension.

  What the manual says

  • If you get 11 or more points within 24 months, you will be notified by mail that your driver license will be suspended.

  Source: New York State Driver's Manual (Form MV-21), page 22

Official steps for moving to New York

• The deadline: 30 days

  If you have a license from another U.S. state or territory, a federal district or a Canadian province, you must exchange it within 30 days after you become a New York resident. Living in New York for 90 days is considered evidence that you are a resident. Students from other states or countries who attend school in New York are normally not residents, so they do not need to exchange their license.

  Source: [1]

• Which licenses can be exchanged

  You must have had your license for at least 6 months (a commercial driver license is an exception). If the issue date on your license is within the past 6 months, bring a certified copy of your driving record that shows you have had a license for more than 6 months. You cannot exchange a suspended or revoked license until the suspension or revocation is removed.

  Source: [1] [5]

• How the exchange works

  The written test and the road test may be waived if your license is from another U.S. state or U.S. territory, has been in effect for 6 months and has not been expired for more than 2 years. You must go to a DMV office in person, pass a vision test there (or bring a completed Vision Test Report, MV-619), surrender (give up) your out-of-state license and pay a fee. New York keeps your old license. You get a temporary license without a photo, and your new license arrives by mail in about 2 weeks.

  Source: [1] [5]

• If you are under 18

  If you are under 18 and have a license from another U.S. state, U.S. jurisdiction or Canadian province or territory, you need parental consent. If you are under 18, you cannot transfer a license from a country other than Canada. If you are under 16, you cannot drive in New York, even with a permit or license from another state.

  Source: [5] [4]

Sources

1. Exchange Your Out-of-State Driver License (dmv.ny.gov) — New York State Department of Motor Vehicles
2. New York State Driver's Manual (MV-21) (dmv.ny.gov) — New York State Department of Motor Vehicles
3. Vision Requirements and Restrictions (dmv.ny.gov) — New York State Department of Motor Vehicles
4. The Graduated License Law and Restrictions for Drivers Under 18 (dmv.ny.gov) — New York State Department of Motor Vehicles
5. How to Apply for a New York Learner Permit, Driver License, Non-Driver ID Card (ID-44) (dmv.ny.gov) — New York State Department of Motor Vehicles