Exchange Out of State Driver License (2024)

You must exchange your out-state driver license (from another U.S. state or territory, a federal district, or a Canadian province) within 30 days of becoming a resident of New York.If you live in New York State for 90 days this is considered "presumptive evidence" that you are a resident of New York State.

Your currentout-of-state license must be from another US state or territory (see instructions below if you are a student or a driver from another country).

Your current license must:

• have your photograph
• be valid or expired less than 24 months
• have been issued at least 6 months before you apply for a New York license (unless it is a commercial driver license that has been valid for any amount of time).
  • If your out-of-state photo driver license does not show the date it was issued, get a certified driver license record or letter from the state that issued the license that indicates the date of issue. If you cannot get a letter or abstract, you must apply for a new, original driver license.

Your New York license will be valid for 5 years.

Youcannotexchange your license if it is

• suspended or revoked.You must remove the suspension or revocation and bring to a New York State DMV office a valid driver license that meets the requirements listed above.
• a hardship or an "employment-only driver license".
• marked "non-renewable" or "non-transferable".
• lost or stolen.You can apply to the previous state for a replacement photo driver license. The replacement driver license must:
  • be a photo driver license
  • show that your out-of-state driver license was valid for at least 6 months

Instead of a replacement driver license, you can apply to the previous state for a letter or certified driver abstract. The letter or abstract must be

• an original document
• on the letterhead of the agency that issued your driver license
• issued by the other state within six months before you submit the letter or driver abstract to us
• the letter or driver abstract must contain all of the following information
  • your name, address, date of birth, and driver license identification number
  • the type or class of driver license and any restrictions
  • any convictions, suspensions, or revocations
  • the date your driver license was issued and the expiration date of your most recent driver license

A letter or driver abstract has no value as proof of identity or date of birth.

This transaction can only be processed in person, at a DMV office.

DMV offers three types of licenses: Standard, Enhanced, and REAL ID. Learn more about the three license types to determine which is right for you.

You will need to:

1. pass a vision test at the DMV or bring a completedEye Test Report (PDF)(MV-619)
2. bring and surrender your out-of-state license
3. bring proof of identity
   • Use the Exchange Your Out-of-State License Interactive Pre-Screening (you will need to create an NY.gov ID as part of the pre-screening process if you do not have one already).
     Get Pre-Screened
   • Or use the DMV Document Guide tofind what you need for a REAL ID or Enhanced permitorfind what you need for a Standard Permit or License
4. Pay a fee

At the DMV, we will give you a temporary non-photo license document. Allow 2 weeks for your new license to arrive in the mail.

Related Documents

• ID-44: How to Apply for A New York: Learner Permit, Driver License, Non-Driver ID Card (PDF)

  English

  Provides information and instructions for how to apply for a New York learner permit, driver license, or non-driver ID card and lists the proof documents that are required.

  Download

• MV-619: Vision Test Report (PDF)

  English

  Completed by authorized vision test provider to certify a driver meets basic DMV vision standard (otherwise, use form MV-80L). May be used instead of taking vision test at a DMV office so a license can be renewed online or by mail.

  Download

• MV-44: Application for Permit, Driver License or Non-Driver ID Card (PDF)

  English

  Use to apply for a learner permit, driver license or non-driver ID. Also use to renew your license or non-driver ID.

  Download

What's Related

Get an Enhanced or REAL ID Get a Driver License Moving to or from New York State Drivers from Other Countries