New York State Department of Motor Vehicles

HOW TO APPLY FOR A NEW YORK:

Learner Permit Driver License Non-Driver ID Card
(Please see page 2 for Instructions)
To obtain an Enhanced Driver License (EDL), additional proofs are required to show U.S. Citizenship and NYS Residency. See form
MV-44.1EDL to apply.
TO YOU Fill Out Bring Bring Pass Pass ALSO Bring
GET A MUST MV-44 Proof of Proof of Written Eye Your ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Name D.O.B. Test Test A MCTD fee, based on county of residence, may also apply
²
²

(see ID-44) (see ID-44) (see page 2)

Learner permit New drivers receive a permit that can be valid for more
Social Security
for the first time      Card
than one year. Fee includes a $10.00 application fee, a
$12.50 document processing fee and a license fee—total
Note: This also applies if your license or permit is expired more than 2 years will not be more than $120.00.
Learner permit Expired permit or Written test may be waived if you passed the last test within
(if permit expired    proof of name 2 years. If your permit expired more than 2 years ago, you
within 2 years.) (see ID-44) must apply for a new permit. See above.
You must obtain a learner permit and pass a skills test
Higher class  Current license or unless you are changing from a Class D to E. There is a
license or to add (except proof of name $40.00 skills test fee if you want a Class A, B, C or Non-
a license class  Class D (see ID-44) CDL C (see page 2). An additional license amendment fee
Note: If applying for a CDL, see form MV-44.5 to E) is charged if you upgrade to a higher class.
Both written test and road test may be waived if you hold an
NYS license in Social Security Card
out-of-state license that is valid or that expired within the
exchange for an and
last 12 months. The out-of-state license must have been in
out-of-state     out-of-state
effect for six months to qualify for a test waiver. The out-of-
license license
state license must be turned in to obtain a New York license.
Replacement of Fee is $17.50 for a replacement license or permit. The fee is
lost, mutilated or $8.00 for a non-driver ID card valid for either 4 or 8 years.
stolen license, Old document For a 10-year non-driver ID card, the fee is $6.50 (there is no
permit, or fee if you are age 62 or older AND collect SSI benefits).
non-driver ID   (unless lost or
stolen) If your license or permit is stolen or destroyed as a result of a
card
crime, bring the MV-78B form completed by the police
agency or a letter from the police agency (fee may be waived
for licenses and permits, but not for non-driver ID cards).
Current photo You must present an original US marriage or US divorce
 license, permit, or record or court issued name change decree, or 6 points of ID
Name change  (Proof of non-driver ID card in your new name. There is a $12.50 document processing fee
your new or proof of former for licenses and permits, $5 for non-driver ID cards (no fee for
name) name (see ID-44) an ID card if you are 62 or older AND collect SSI benefits).
Senior License Current license or If you are 17 years old, bring in your Driver Education
(Change from DJ proof of name
or MJ to D or  (see ID-44)
Certificate of Completion (MV-285). There is a $5.00
transaction fee.
M license)
 
Current license/ID
If your license/ID Card expired more than 2 years ago, you
License/ID Card (if you do Card or
License must apply for a new learner permit/ID Card.
renewal not have proof of name
Only
in-person your MV-2 (see ID-44)
renewal Social Security Card If renewing a CDL, see form MV-44.5.
letter) (ID Card Only)
Non-driver
ID card and
you never had a Social If you are not yet 16 years old, your parent or guardian
license or permit, must complete the CONSENT SECTION on page 2 of the
or your license or    Security
MV-44.
Card
permit expired
over 2 years ago Exact fee will be determined when you apply for the ID card.
Average fees are $9 - $10 for a 4-year card, and $13-$14 for
Non-driver an 8-year card. Applicants who are EITHER 62 or older OR
ID card and you
License or permit or SSI recipients are issued a 10-year card for $6.50.
have a license
or permit  proof of name (see Applicants who are BOTH 62 or older AND SSI recipients
ID-44) are issued a 10-year card for no fee.
(current or expired
within 2 years)
MV-44.1 (9/09) PAGE 1 OF 2
 INSTRUCTIONS
WHERE TO GET FORMS
The MV-44 (Application for Driver License or Non-Driver ID Card), the ID-44 (Proofs of Identity - list of acceptable proofs of
name and date of birth), and the MV-44.5 (Federal Requirements for Commercial Driver License Applicants) are available at any
Motor Vehicles office and at the DMV Internet office (www.nysdmv.com).

EYE TEST REQUIREMENT

Eye tests may be taken at any Motor Vehicles office OR you may bring in Form MV-619 (Eye Test Report) completed by a
medical doctor, physician’s assistant, registered nurse, optometrist or optician based on an eye exam you have had within the last
6 or 12 months, as indicated on the MV-619 by the examiner.

MINIMUM AGE FOR APPLICATION

You must be at least 16 years old when you complete a driver license application. Parental consent is required if you are under 18,
unless you are 17 years old and have a Driver Education Certificate of Completion (MV-285). A Non-Driver ID Card is available
if you are under 16, with parental consent.

METROPOLITAN COMMUTER TRANSPORTATION DISTRICT (MCTD) FEES

Effective September 1, 2009 an MCTD fee applies to all applicants requesting an original or renewal of a license or learner
permit who reside in the following twelve counties: Bronx, Kings, New York, Queens, Richmond, Dutchess, Orange, Putnam,
Rockland, Westchester, Nassau, and Suffolk.

PAYMENT OF FEES
Please make any checks or money orders payable to "Commissioner of Motor Vehicles". Cash and major credit cards are also
accepted at any Motor Vehicles office.
REQUIREMENT TO SHOW SOCIAL SECURITY CARD
You must show your Social Security Card the first time you apply for a NYS permit, driver license or ID card, when you renew
your ID card, or if your permit, license or ID card is expired more than two years (and also, if DMV has no record of your social
security number). If you are ineligible for a Social Security Card, you must present a letter from the Social Security
Administration (SSA) issued within 30 days of your application to DMV, confirming your ineligibility. You must also show the
INS documentation that the SSA used to determine that you are not eligible.

HOW TO REGISTER TO VOTE OR CHANGE ADDRESS WITH THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS

The Voter Registration Application is part of the DMV forms. You can register to vote, or change your address with the Board of
Elections, by completing the Voter Registration Application at the same time you are completing form MV-44 (Application for
Driver License or Non-Driver ID Card) OR the MV-2 License or Non-Driver ID renewal letter. DMV will forward the application
directly to the Board of Elections.
SM
HOW TO ENROLL IN THE NYS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH’S DONATE LIFE REGISTRY
If you are 18 years of age or older, you may enroll in the Registry through either DMV or DOH.

You can enroll through DMV with an MV-44 application form. Simply read the Organ Donation statement and sign and date the
Donor Consent Signature line. You can also enroll at renewal time by signing the Donor Consent line on your MV-2 renewal form.
As of July 22, 2008, your signature on an MV-44 or MV-2 constitutes legal consent for donation. Be sure to tell your family that you
have legally consented to be a donor upon your death. If you enroll through DMV, the words “ORGAN DONOR” will
automatically be printed on the front of your DMV-issued photo document.

If you enroll in the Donate Life SM Registry through the Department of Health, either by telephone at (866) 693-6667 or online at
www.nyhealth.gov, there will be no donor designation on your DMV photo document. You may, however, request to add or
remove this donor designation at any time by visiting your local DMV office. There will be no additional fee to have the
“ORGAN DONOR” legend added to or removed from your photo document, if requested as part of another license, permit or
non-driver ID transaction. If you request a change in donor designation on your photo document as an independent transaction,
there will be a $17.50 fee for your replacement photo document.

NOTE: Removing the donor designation from your DMV photo document does NOT remove your name from DOH’s donor
registry. You must contact DOH directly at the phone number or web address above if you want to remove your name
from the Registry.

NON-CDL CLASS C LICENSE

Effective July 26, 2005, a Class D license is valid to operate vehicles for which a non-CDL C license was previously required.
Applicants for an original non-CDL C will receive a Class D license; however, applicants seeking Farm (F or G) or Tow Truck (W)
endorsements will continue to receive non-CDL C licenses until programming changes are completed.
MV-44.1 (9/09) PAGE 2 OF 2