Documentation requirements for Driver’s License Applications

Please note:  Due to the many recent changes that have resulted from heavy legislative activity regarding driver’s licenses, persons using this site should pay close
attention to when the websites listed on this page were last updated.  The Migrant Legal Action Program takes no responsibility for any information that is out-of-date. 

National Immigration Law Center has an index on driver’s license eligibility and requirements: http://www.nilc.org/immspbs/DLs/

State begins with the letter:

A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z

 

A

Alabama

• Alabama Department of Public Safety, Driver License Division: http://dps.alabama.gov/Home/wfContent.aspx?ID=30&PLH1=plhHome-DriverLicense
  • Document Requirements and Fees: http://dps.alabama.gov/Home/wfContent.aspx?ID=30&PLH1=plhDriverLicense-DocumentRequirementsAndFees

Alaska 

• Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles: http://doa.alaska.gov/dmv/
  • Drivers License, Permit and State Id Information: http://doa.alaska.gov/dmv/akol/index.htm
  • Converting a License from Another State, US Territory or Country: http://doa.alaska.gov/dmv/akol/new2ak.htm
  • First Time Alaska Drivers License: http://doa.alaska.gov/dmv/akol/original.htm

Arizona

• Arizona Motor Vehicle Division: http://www.azdot.gov/mvd/
  • Driver License Frequently Asked Questions: http://www.azdot.gov/mvd/faqs/scripts/FAQsResponse.asp?Category=1&Keyword=
  • Identification Requirements: http://mvd.azdot.gov/mvd/formsandpub/viewPDF.asp?lngProductKey=1410&lngFormInfoKey=1410

Arkansas

• Arkansas Driver Services: http://www.dfa.arkansas.gov/offices/driverServices/Pages/default.aspx
  • Frequently Asked Questions: http://www.dfa.arkansas.gov/offices/driverServices/Pages/FAQ%27s.aspx
  • Documentation Requirements: http://www.dfa.arkansas.gov/offices/driverServices/Pages/FAQ%27s.aspx#e

C

California

• California Department of Motor Vehicles: http://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/home/dmv.htm?lang=en
  • Driver License and Identification Card Requirement: http://www.dmv.ca.gov/dl/dl_info.htm#2500
  • Birth Date and Legal Presence and True Full Name Requirements: http://apps.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/brochures/fast_facts/ffdl05.htm

Colorado

• Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles: http://www.colorado.gov/revenue/dmv
  • Identification Requirements: http://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite?blobcol=urldata&blobheader=application%2Fpdf&blobheadername1=Content-Disposition&blobheadername2=MDT-Type&blobheadervalue1=inline%3B+filename%3D423%2F897%2FDR+2300_approved.pdf&blobheadervalue2=abinary%3B+charset%3DUTF-8&blobkey=id&blobtable=MungoBlobs&blobwhere=1251714422992&ssbinary=true

Connecticut

D

Delaware

• State of Delaware DMV: http://www.dmv.de.gov/
  • Required Documentation: http://www.dmv.de.gov/services/driver_services/drivers_license/dr_lic_doc_table.shtml

District of Columbia

• District of Columbia Department of Motor Vehicles: http://dmv.washingtondc.gov/main.shtm
  • Documentation Verification Guide: https://public.dmv.washingtondc.gov/BusinessPages/GS/PointSystem/Welcome.aspx

F

Florida

• Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles: http://www.flhsmv.gov/html/dlnew.html
  • Identification Requirements: http://www.gathergoget.com/

G

Georgia

• Georgia Department of Driver Services: http://www.dds.ga.gov/
  • Documentation Requirements: http://www.dds.ga.gov/secureid/index.aspx

H

Hawaii

• Hawaii Department of Transportation, Highway Division: http://hawaii.gov/dot/highways
  • List of Acceptable Documents for Hawaii Driver’s License: http://hawaii.gov/dot/list-of-acceptable-documents-2013-hawaii-driver2019s-license
    

I

Idaho

• Idaho Transportation Department: http://www.itd.idaho.gov/
  • Idaho Driver's Licenses and Identification Cards Fact Sheet: http://www.itd.idaho.gov/dmv/driverservices/driver_license_facts.htm

Illinois

• Illinois Driver Services: http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/drivers/home.html
  • Driver's License/State ID Card: http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/drivers/drivers_license/drlicid.html#dlapp
  • Acceptable Documents to Obtain a Driver’s License: http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/publications/pdf_publications/dsd_x173.pdf

Indiana

• Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles: http://www.in.gov/bmv/
  • Obtaining a Driver’s License: http://www.in.gov/bmv/2363.htm
  • Required Documents: http://www.in.gov/bmv/files/SecureID_Documents_List.pdf

Iowa

• Iowa Department of Transportation Motor Vehicles Division: http://www.iowadot.gov/mvd/index.htm
  • Proof of Identity: http://www.iowadot.gov/mvd/ods/identity.htm#

K

Kansas

• Frequently Asked Questions About Driver’s License: http://www.ksrevenue.org/faqs-dmvdl.html
• Acceptable Documentation: http://www.ksrevenue.org/dmvproof.html
  

Kentucky

• Kentucky Transportation Cabinet: http://transportation.ky.gov/Pages/default.aspx
  • Driver License, ID Card, & General Information: http://transportation.ky.gov/driver-licensing/pages/driver-license-id-card-general-information.aspx

L

Louisiana

• Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles: http://omv.dps.state.la.us/
  • Identification Requirements: http://dpsweb.dps.louisiana.gov/OMV1.nsf/1b2fc6edb63de9b1862564800069f248/037c1c72e5cbc226862564ae006ccdd2?OpenDocument

M

Maine

• Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles: http://www.maine.gov/sos/bmv/
  • Obtaining a Driver’s License: http://www.maine.gov/sos/bmv/licenses/getlicense.html
  • Proof of Identity: http://www.maine.gov/sos/bmv/licenses/IDproof.html

Maryland

• Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration: http://www.mva.maryland.gov/
  • How to Apply: http://www.mva.maryland.gov/Driver-Services/Apply/apply.htm
  • Sources of Proof: http://www.mva.maryland.gov/Driver-Services/Apply/proof.htm

Massachusetts

• Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles: http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/rmv/
  • Obtaining a CDL Permit and License: http://www.mass.gov/rmv/license/8cdl.htm
  • Acceptable ID: http://www.mass.gov/rmv/license/AcceptableId.pdf

Michigan

• Driver’s License & State ID: http://www.michigan.gov/sos/0,4670,7-127-1627---,00.html
• Obtaining a CDL: http://www.michigan.gov/sos/0,4670,7-127-1627_8669_53324-213068--,00.html
• You’ll Need the Following Documents: http://www.michigan.gov/documents/DE40_032001_20459_7.pd

Minnesota

• Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services: https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/dvs/
  • Driver’s License Information: https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/dvs/Pages/drivers-license-information.aspx
  • Identification Requirements: https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/dvs/forms-documents/Documents/IdentificationRequirements_English.pdf

Mississippi

• Mississippi Driver Services: http://www.dps.state.ms.us/driver-services/
  • Driver’s Application: http://www.dps.state.ms.us/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/DriversAppliction.pdf

Missouri

• Missouri Driver Licensing: http://dor.mo.gov/drivers/
  • Driver Licensing Checklist: http://dor.mo.gov/drivers/checklist.php
    

Montana

• Montana Motor Vehicle Division: https://doj.mt.gov/driving/
  • Required Documents: https://doj.mt.gov/driving/required-docs/
  • Forms and Other Documents: https://doj.mt.gov/driving/forms/
    

N

Nebraska

• Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles: http://www.dmv.ne.gov/examining/index.html
  • Document Verification Form: http://www.dmv.ne.gov/examining/pdf/verificationdocs.pdf

Nevada

• Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles: http://www.dmvnv.com/

New Hampshire

• New Hampshire Department of Safety Division of Motor Vehicles: http://www.nh.gov/safety/divisions/dmv/index.htm
  • Identification and Residency Requirements: http://www.nh.gov/safety/divisions/dmv/forms/documents/identification-residency.pdf

New Jersey

• State of New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission: http://www.state.nj.us/mvc/index.htm
  • Licenses for Non-citizens: http://www.state.nj.us/mvc/Licenses/LicensesNon-Citizens.htm
  • 6 Point ID Verification: http://www.state.nj.us/mvc/Licenses/6PointID.htm
    

New Mexico

• New Mexico MVD: http://www.mvd.newmexico.gov/Pages/Home.aspx
  • How to Get a New Mexico Driver License: http://www.mvd.newmexico.gov/Drivers/Licensing/Pages/How-to-get-a-New-Mexico-Driver-License.aspx
  • MVD Proof of Identity: http://www.mvd.newmexico.gov/Drivers/Licensing/pages/MVD-Proof-of-Identity.aspx
  • MVD Proof of Identification Number: http://www.mvd.newmexico.gov/Drivers/Licensing/pages/MVD-Proof-of-Identification-Number.aspx
  • Proof of New Mexico Residency: http://www.mvd.newmexico.gov/Drivers/Licensing/Pages/Proof-of-New-Mexico-Residency.aspx
  • MVD Proof of Identification Number No SSN: http://www.mvd.newmexico.gov/Drivers/Licensing/pages/MVD-Proof-of-Identification-Number-No-SSN.aspx

New York

• New York State Department of Motor Vehicles: http://www.dmv.ny.gov/
  • Proofs of Identity, U.S. Citizenship and NYS Residency: http://www.dmv.ny.gov/forms/id44edl.pdf
  • Comprobantes de Identidad, Ciudadanía Estadounidense y Residencia en el Estado de Nueva York: http://www.dmv.ny.gov/forms/id44edls.pdf

North Carolina

• North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles: http://www.ncdot.gov/dmv/
  • Requirements & Documents: http://www.ncdot.gov/dmv/driver/license/#documents
    

North Dakota

• North Dakota Department of Transportation: http://www.dot.nd.gov/
  • Identification Requirements: http://www.dot.nd.gov/divisions/driverslicense/dlinfo.htm#id

O

Ohio

• Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles: http://bmv.ohio.gov/index.stm
  • Acceptable Identification Documents: http://www.bmv.ohio.gov/acceptable_id_documents.stm

Oklahoma

• Oklahoma Department of Public Safety: http://www.dps.state.ok.us/
  • Driver’s License FAQ: http://www.dps.state.ok.us/dls/dlfaq.htm
  • Proof of ID Requirements: http://www.dps.state.ok.us/dls/dlid.htm

Oregon

• Oregon DWV: http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/DMV/Pages/index.aspx
  • Required Identity Documentation: http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/DMV/Pages/driverid/idproof.aspx
  • Getting a Driver License – Over 18: http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/DMV/Pages/driverid/licenseget.aspx

P

Pennsylvania

• Pennsylvania Driver & Vehicle Services: http://www.dmv.state.pa.us/home/index.shtml
  • Documentation Needed for Proof of Identity and Residency: http://www.dmv.state.pa.us/licensing_master/identity.shtml

R

Rhode Island

• State of Rhode Island Department of Motor Vehicles: http://www.dmv.ri.gov/
  • License Checklist: http://www.dmv.ri.gov/documents/forms/checklist/license_checklist.pdf

S

South Carolina

• South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles: http://www.scdmvonline.com/dmvnew/default.aspx?n=home
  • Accepted Forms of Identification: http://www.scdmvonline.com/dmvnew/default.aspx?n=accepted_forms_of_identification

South Dakota

• South Dakota Drivers Licensing: http://dps.sd.gov/licensing/driver_licensing/default.aspx
  • Documents Required to Obtain a Driver License: http://dps.sd.gov/licensing/driver_licensing/obtain_a_license.aspx

T

Tennessee

• Driver Services – Drivers Licenses & IDs: http://www.tn.gov/safety/dlmain.shtml
  • Drivers License Manual: http://www.tn.gov/safety/dlhandbook/DL_Manual2011.pdf
  • Information About a Class D License: http://www.tn.gov/safety/driverlicense/classd.shtml
    

Texas

• Drivers License Services: http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/DriverLicense/
  • Lawful Presence Requirement: http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/DriverLicense/LawfulStatusDLID.htm
  • Identification Requirements for a Texas Driver License or Identification Card: http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/DriverLicense/identificationrequirements.htm
  • Apply for a Drivers License: http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/DriverLicense/ApplyforLicense.htm

U

Utah

• Utah Driver License Division: http://publicsafety.utah.gov/dld/index.html
  • Drivers Licenses and Identification Cards: http://publicsafety.utah.gov/dld/dlandid.html
  • What Documentation Do I Need? http://publicsafety.utah.gov/dld/acceptable_id.html

V

Vermont

• Vermont DMV: http://dmv.vermont.gov/
  • Identification & Legal Presence Requirements For Non-US Citizens: http://dmv.vermont.gov/licenses/drivers/foreign_international

Virginia

• Virginia DMV: http://www.dmv.state.va.us/index.asp
  • Applying for a Driver’s License: http://www.dmv.state.va.us/webdoc/citizen/drivers/applying.asp
  • Obtaining a Virginia Driver’s License or Identification (ID) Card: http://www.dmv.state.va.us/webdoc/pdf/dmv141.pdf

W

Washington

• Washington State Department of Licensing: http://www.dol.wa.gov/
  • Proof of Identity: http://www.dol.wa.gov/driverslicense/idproof.html
  • Steps to Getting Your Driver’s License: http://www.dol.wa.gov/driverslicense/steps.html

West Virginia

• West Virginia DMV: http://www.transportation.wv.gov/dmv/Pages/default.aspx
  • New Licensing Requirements: http://www.transportation.wv.gov/dmv/Drivers-Licenses/Pages/default.aspx

Wisconsin

• Wisconsin Division of Motor Vehicles: http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/drivers/
  • Driver License Documentation: http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/drivers/drivers/apply/doc/index.htm

Wyoming

• Wyoming Department of Transportation: http://www.dot.state.wy.us/wydot
  • Required Documents: http://www.dot.state.wy.us/files/content/sites/wydot/files/shared/Driver_Services/Required%20Documents%20Oct%202012.pdf