If you are not a U.S. citizen and have recently moved to New Jersey, you must have temporary visa status and fit into one of the following categories to apply for a New Jersey driver license:
- Treaty traders
- Students and their families
- Temporary workers, accompanying spouses and children
- Foreign information representatives and their families
- Exchange visitors and their families
- Intra-company transfers, accompanying spouses and minor children
- Persons with temporary protection from deportation
- Canadians with temporary residence
- Religious ministers and spouses
- Parents of U.S. citizens
- International athletes or entertainment groups
- Persons in a reciprocal exchange program
- Students and their families with an (F) visa must show INS Form I-20, student identification cards or certification on school letterhead indicating status and their I-94 passport
- You may use your country's driver license as proof of driving experience if you have an International Driver Permit issued by your country or if your country is a member of the United Nations Convention on Road Traffic and your license is translated into English by a consulate or an MVC approved translator
- If you are under 18 years old, you are subject to GDL Program requirements
- 'If you are in H-1B or L-1 status and do not have current USCIS documentation, you must bring a certification like this H-1B or L-1 240 Day Extension Certificate with your 6 Point ID documents to an MVC agency
(The extension of validity of driver’s license up to 10 years will start in October 2021. Not all drivers will enjoy this if they have demerit points.) “Isang incentive ito doon sa mga. Old driving licence (only a copy is needed); notarized translation of your old driving license (10-15 Euro); travel ID (international passport); registration (Meldebescheinigung). In Germany, if you are 17 years old, you can apply for a driving license. That’s why you can start attending driving classes already at 16. An International Driving Permit lasts for one year from the date it is issued. It can't be extended or renewed. A new application must be submitted if a new IDP is needed. Who is Eligible for an IDP? To be issued an International Driving Permit you must be: at least 18 years old; have a current full Canadian provincial driver's license. This permit is issued by local automobile clubs and is not valid unless it’s accompanied by the owner’s original driving license. This International Driving Permit is usually seen more like of a translation of the driver’s license and is extremely useful in countries like Russia and Arabic or Asian countries that are using non-Latin scripts.
We are required to capture a customer’s full face when taking a picture for a driver license or non-driver ID card; therefore we need to be able to see from the top of your forehead to the bottom of your chin. If you have a medical or religious need to wear a head covering in your photo, please advise the MVC staff at the agency camera station.
Note: Prior to issuing any document, the Motor Vehicle Commission will use the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) system to verify the immigration status of all non-citizens who apply for or renew a driver’s license or non-driver ID at an agency. If legal immigration status cannot be confirmed, the document will not be issued.
How to obtain your basic New Jersey driver license
You must also provide proof by the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service, authorizing your presence in the country. In order the obtain the permit, you will need to bring your foreign license and present the documents required to pass the 6 Point ID requirements.
You must also provide proof by the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service, authorizing your presence in the country and confirming validity of your foreign license. If you cannot show proof of driving experience you will be subject to the GDL Program requirements.
After you get the permit, visit any Driver Testing Center to take a vision test, knowledge test and possibly a road test if required.
You are not required to surrender your foreign license when MVC issues your New Jersey driver license.
Related Links
Foreign Visitors Driving in the U.S. [USA.gov]
Fact Sheet: Nonimmigrant student/exchange status F,M or J [pdf, US ICE] 4. General Information on Driving Licence
4.1 Renewal of Driving Licence
| 4.1.1 Full Driving Licence for Non-commercial Vehicles |
A full driving licence may be renewed at any time during the 4 months before its expiry. However, a driving licence that has expired for a period exceeding 3 years is not renewable. In such circumstances, if you wish to re-obtain a full driving licence, you will be required to take a new road test again and complete the probationary driving period (for motor cycle, motor tricycle, private car and light goods vehicle). In this regard, you will be exempted from taking the written test.
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| 4.1.1.1 What to bring? |
Either completed application form TD557 together with photocopy of Hong Kong Identity Card or completed application form TD578 (it is a reminder-cum-application form sent by us to a driving licence holder by mail at around 3 months before its expiry) or completed application form TD601 (it is a reminder-cum-application form sent by us to a driving licence holder by mail at around 3 months before the deadline for its renewal, i.e. 3 years after its expiry);
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Required fee (you may make enquiries at the enquiry counters of licensing offices or through 1823 Call Centre, refer to the licence fees table (TD341) at the licensing offices, or visit Transport Department's website for information).
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| 4.1.2 Probationary Driving Licence |
International Driver's License Brooklyn Ny
- Hong Kong Identity Card (photocopy);
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Required fee (you may make enquiries at the enquiry counters of licensing offices or through 1823 Call Centre, refer to the licence fees table (TD341) at the licensing offices, or visit Transport Department's website for information).
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| 4.1.3 Full driving licence with commercial vehicle class(es) |
| 4.1.3.1 Commercial vehicle class(es) |
Private Light Bus (class code 04), Public Light Bus (class code 05), Taxi (class code 06), Private Bus (class code 09), Public Bus (class code 10), Public Bus - Franchised (class code 17), Medium Goods Vehicle (class code 18), Heavy Goods Vehicle (class code 19), Articulated Vehicle (class code 20) and Special Purpose Vehicle (class code 21) are vehicles requiring Commercial Driving Licences.
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A driving licence that has expired for a period exceeding 3 years is not renewable. In such circumstances, if you wish to re-obtain a full driving licence with commercial class(es), you will be required to re-apply it vide sub-section 2.7 or FAQ for details.
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| 4.1.3.2 What to bring? |
Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card (photocopy) for Hong Kong permanent resident, while Hong Kong Identity Card (photocopy) together with his valid travel document (original and photocopy) for a holder of Hong Kong Identity Card (other than a Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card) who is not subject to any condition of stay other than a limit of stay as defined in section 2(1) of the Immigration Ordinance (Cap. 115);
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Required fee (you may make enquiries at the enquiry counters of licensing offices or through 1823 Call Centre, refer to the licence fees table (TD341) at the licensing offices, or visit Transport Department's website for information).
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4.2 Validity Period of Driving Licences
| Licence | Validity | | Full Driving Licence | | 10 years | - Aged above 60 but below 70
| Up to the day before the applicant reaches the age of 70 or 3 years, whichever is longer | | 1-year or 3-year (depending on the applicant's choice) | | Learner's Driving Licence | 12 months from the date of issue | | Temporary Driving Licence | 12 months from the date of arrival in Hong Kong or until the expiry of the overseas driving licence, whichever occurs first | | Probationary Driving Licence | 12 months initially and 6 months if extension is required |
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4.3 Cancellation of Driving Licence
If you do not fulfill the conditions and requirements necessary for the issue of driving licence or are suffering from any disease or physical disability specified in the First Schedule of the Road Traffic (Driving Licences) Regulations (see Appendix Afor details), your driving licence will be cancelled.
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If you are suffering from any disease or physical disability other than those specified in the First Schedule of the Road Traffic (Driving Licences) Regulations and it is found that your driving will endanger the public owing to such disease or physical disability after an enquiry conducted by the Commissioner for Transport, your driving licence will also be cancelled.
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4.4 Disqualification
If, pursuant to the order of a court, you are disqualified from holding or obtaining a driving licence, you should deposit any driving licence held by you with the court and cease driving immediately until the expiry of the period of disqualification.
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4.5 Notice of Change of Personal Particulars
If you are a driving licence holder/registered owner, you should notify the Commissioner for Transport in writing or by submitting the completed Transport Department Form TD559 of any change in the name, address or identity document within 72 hours after such change. If there is any change on the driving restrictions such as the requirement on wearing corrective lenses or hearing aids, you should also notify the Commissioner for Transport immediately by submitting the completed Transport Department Form TD559 so that we would update your driving licence records accordingly. Transport Department Form TD559 is available in any licensing office and at the Transport Department's website.
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4.6 Duplicate Driving Licence
If your driving licence is defaced, damaged or lost, you should report to any licensing office by completing application form TD106, together with the required fee, to obtain a duplicate driving licence.
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Required fee (you may make enquiries at the enquiry counters of licensing offices or through 1823 Call Centre, refer to the licence fees table (TD341) at the licensing offices, or visit Transport Department's website for information).
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4.7 Concessions to Disabled Drivers
What Is An International Driver's License
If you have proved your fitness to drive a private car and produced to the Commissioner for Transport a certificate, signed by or on behalf of the Hospital Authority, stating that you are suffering from a permanent disease or physical disability that causes you considerable difficulty in walking, you may apply for exemption from payment of the fees required for a driving test and the issue or renewal of a driving licence for private car. However, you are still required to pay the levy for the Traffic Accident Victims Assistance Scheme. Please note that the exemption is applicable to private car only.
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Is There Any International Driving License
4.8 Traffic Accident Victims Assistance Scheme
- On the first issue and renewal of driving and vehicle licences, appropriate contribution has to be made to the Traffic Accident Victims Assistance Scheme to assist accident victims and dependents.
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4.9 Driving Abroad with International Driving Permit
If you are Hong Kong resident holding a Hong Kong full driving licence and wish to drive abroad, you may apply for issue of an International Driving Permit (IDP). You should complete an application form TD51 and submit it to any licensing office together with two identical, new and recent photographs and the required fee. The permit will be issued to you if you are a resident in Hong Kong and hold a valid Hong Kong full driving licence. Please note that the permit is valid for one year from the date of issue.
IDP is issued in accordance with the 1949 Convention. The permit should be valid for driving in the territory of all the contracting countries/places [please see the application form TD51]. But there may be differences or changes in the policy or conditions of using an IDP to drive the contracting countries/places concerned, applicants are suggested to make enquires to the Consulates or resident offices of the countries/places concerned for details before making application for an IDP or before driving in the countries/places concerned.
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- You should also submit original or photocopy of proof of present address (residential address and correspondence address).
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- You may book an appointment through Transport Department's Appointment Booking Service online by logging on to www.gov.hk/idpabs or by calling the hotline at 3763 8080 to apply for an International Driving Permit at the designated counter of the seleted Licensing Office.
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For enquiry about the required fee, you may make enquiries at the enquiry counters of licensing offices or through 1823 Call Centre, refer to the licence fees table (TD341) at the licensing offices, or visit Transport Department's website for information.
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4.10 How to Obtain Application Forms
The latest version of application forms for driving and vehicle licences are available at all licensing offices of the Transport Department, various District Offices' public enquiry service centres and the post offices. Application forms can also be obtained by facsimile through the Transport Department's customer service hotline 2804 2600 or 1823 Call Centre or downloaded from the Transport Department's website.
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International Driver's License United States
4.11 Submission of Application
| In person / By agent |
Applications for driving and vehicle licensing services (unless otherwise specified) can be submitted in person or through agent. If submission of application is through an agent, your agent should produce photocopy of your identity document for authentication and is also required to produce his identity document. The addresses of all licensing offices are shown in Appendix D.
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| By GovHK |
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| By post |
Applications (other than first application for learner's driving licence, application for learner's driving licence for commercial vehicles, driving test appointment, direct issue of driving licence and temporary driving licence) may be submitted by post to the Kwun Tong Licensing Office at P.O. Box 68115, Kowloon East Post Office, Kowloon. If your application is in order, the new licence / permit, together with your relevant documents, if any, will be sent to you by registered post within 10 working days.
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If you apply for learner's driving licence and driving test for commercial vehicles, please submit your applications by post to the Transport Department P. O. Box No. 79, Shatin Central Post Office. If your applications are in order, the new learner's driving licence and the details of the test appointment will be sent to you by registered post within 15 working days.
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The relevant application forms should be duly completed, signed and submitted with the required fee and documents. Please do not send cash by post. Crossed cheque should be made payable to either 'The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region' or 'The Government of the HKSAR'. Photocopies of Hong Kong Identity Card (or other alternative identity document) are acceptable for verification
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- Underpaid mail items are subject to surcharge by Hongkong Post. This department will not accept underpaid mail items, which will be returned to the sender or disposd of by the Hongkong Post. For proper delivery of your mail items to the department, and to avoid unnecessary delivery delay or unsuccessful delivery, please ensure your mail items bear sufficient postage with return address before posting. [Please note details about postage and pay attention to the New Postage Structure effective from 1 January 2016].
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| By drop-box |
Applications (unless otherwise specified) may also be submitted through drop-boxes in all licensing offices (please see Appendix D for their addresses). The relevant application forms should be duly completed, signed and submitted with the required fee and documents. Please do not send cash by post. Payment should be made by crossed cheque and payable to either 'The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region' or 'The Government of the HKSAR'. Photocopies of Hong Kong Identity Card (or other alternative identity document) are acceptable.
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- You may submit your application (unless otherwise specified) through drop-boxes in designated post offices (no postage is needed).
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If your application is in order, the new driving licence / permit (other than learner's driving licences for commercial vehicles) would be sent to you by registered post within 10 working days. For an application for learner's driving licences for commercial vehicles, submitted together with an application for a Driving Test (Commercial Vehicle), the new learner's driving licence and the details of the test appointment will be sent to the applicants by registered post within 15 working days.
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4.12 Enquiries
- Enquiries can be made to the Transport Department through Transport Department's 24-hour hotline 2804 2600, 1823 Call Centre or by e-mail: licensing@td.gov.hk.
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- For information on Transport Department's licensing services, you may also visit the Transport Department's website: http://www.td.gov.hk/.
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