Paperwork
How to get a driver's license in the US
The steps to getting a US driver's license, the documents to bring, and what changes from state to state.
In the US a driver's license is not only for driving. It is the identity document you will be asked for most often: opening a bank account, seeing a doctor, collecting a parcel, entering a government building. If you do not drive, most states issue a state ID card through almost the same process, minus the road test.
Which agency issues the license
Each state has one agency responsible for this, and the name changes from place to place:
- DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles): California, New York and many others
- DPS (Department of Public Safety): Texas
- BMV, MVA, DOL: various other states
The safest way to find the right page is through USA.gov and selecting your state. That takes you straight to the official agency and past the middleman sites.
Documents to bring
Nearly every state asks for the same four things. Get them together at home first, because one missing paper means going back and booking another appointment.
- Proof of identity and age. A valid passport, green card, or immigration document with a photo.
- Proof that you are in the US lawfully. Green card, valid visa, employment authorisation card (EAD), or equivalent.
- Your Social Security number. Most states only need you to state the number, but some want to see the card. If you do not have one yet, see applying for an SSN or ITIN. If you are not eligible for an SSN, see the section below.
- Two proofs of address in the state. A utility bill, lease, bank statement, or government letter, showing your name and current address.
The four steps
Step 1: Learn the road rules
Every state publishes a free driver handbook you can download from the agency's site. States with large Vietnamese communities, California and Texas among them, publish a Vietnamese edition. The written test comes straight out of that book.
Step 2: The written and vision tests
The written test is taken on a computer at the office, usually 25 to 50 multiple-choice questions. Many states let you take it in another language, Vietnamese included. If you fail you can retake it, normally after a few days.
The vision test happens at the counter. If you wear glasses, wear them: the only consequence is a note on your license saying you must wear them when driving.
Step 3: The learner permit
Once you pass the written test you receive a learner permit. With it you may drive while a fully licensed adult sits beside you. Most states make you hold the permit for a minimum period before the road test, from a few weeks to six months, and drivers under 18 always face longer holding periods plus a set number of supervised practice hours.
Step 4: The road test
You have to bring your own car. It must be registered, insured, and have working lights and indicators. The examiner inspects the vehicle before you start, and a broken light will cancel the test on the spot.
The test usually runs 15 to 25 minutes around the streets near the office. The three failures that come up most: not turning your head to check the blind spot before changing lanes, rolling through a STOP sign instead of stopping completely, and speeding in a school zone.
What REAL ID is, and whether you need it
Since May 2025, using a driver's license to board a domestic flight or enter certain federal buildings requires that license to be a REAL ID, marked with a star in the top corner. A standard license still lets you drive normally; it just no longer works as identification at the airport.
Getting a REAL ID means stricter original documents, especially if your name is not written identically across them. If you hold a valid US passport or green card, you can use that at the airport instead, so there is no need to rush.
If you do not have a Social Security number
Not everyone is eligible for an SSN. Some states, California among them, still issue driver's licenses to people without one as long as they can prove identity and residence. Other states do not.
If this is your situation, search your state's site for "driver license without SSN", or ask a local community organisation before going to the office. Never use someone else's number: that is document fraud and it can do serious damage to your immigration case.
How long it takes and what it costs
Fees are generally $30 to $90 for a first license, depending on the state. California now has its own page, with fees and documents checked straight against the California DMV: see driver's license, state by state. You get a paper temporary license the same day, and the plastic card arrives by post, usually in two to four weeks.
In larger cities an appointment is effectively required. In some offices the calendar is full two or three months ahead, so book the appointment first and study afterwards, not the other way round.
What to do next
- Check your state's own page if we have one, because those figures come from the state itself
- Open your state's page from USA.gov, download the driver handbook, and check for a Vietnamese edition
- Put the four groups of documents above into one folder
- Book the appointment even before you have finished studying, because the wait is usually long
Common questions
Can I get a license if I do not have a green card?
It depends on the state. Some states, California among them, issue licenses to people without a Social Security number as long as they can prove identity and residence. Many states do not. Search your state's official site for "driver license without SSN".
Can I drive on my Vietnamese licence in the US?
Only for a short period, and the rules differ by state. Once you become a resident of a state you have to get that state's licence, usually within a few weeks to a few months of moving there.
How soon can I retake a test I failed?
Usually a few days to a week, depending on the state, and there is often a cap on attempts within a set period. The retake fee is normally lower than the first one.
Do I have to bring my own car to the road test?
Yes. Almost every state requires you to provide a registered, insured vehicle. The examiner inspects it first, and one broken light or indicator is enough to cancel the test that day.
Sources / Nguồn
Official US government pages. If anything here disagrees with the official page, trust the official page.