Quick Answer
Yes — under the Green Light Law, any New Yorker 16 or older can get a standard driver license regardless of status. To get one:
- Bring 6 points of proof of name (a foreign passport, consular ID, or foreign license is worth 4), proof of date of birth, and 1 proof of New York residence, and sign an affidavit if you were never issued an SSN.
- Pass the written permit test (offered in 20 languages), then take a 5-hour pre-licensing course.
- Practice and pass the road test. Fees range from $64.50 to $107.50.
Standard licenses are marked "NOT FOR FEDERAL PURPOSES" and can't be used to board domestic flights.
Can You Get a Driver's License in New York Without an SSN?
Yes. The Driver's License Access and Privacy Act, known as the Green Light Law, was enacted on June 17, 2019 and took effect on December 16, 2019. It lets New Yorkers 16 and older apply for a standard, non-commercial driver license or learner permit regardless of citizenship or lawful status. It does not cover non-driver ID cards or commercial licenses.
Standard licenses look the same no matter which documents you used, so a license doesn't reveal how its holder qualified. Read the DMV's Green Light Law page for the official summary.
Can You Use an ITIN for a New York License?
You don't need one. If you were never issued a Social Security number, you sign an affidavit (form NSS-1 or NSS-1A) worth 0 points. An IRS ITIN issuance letter or tax transcript issued within the past year can still help: New York's ID-44 form counts it as 1 point and as a proof of residence.
The affidavit can't be used for an Enhanced or REAL ID credential, which is why applicants without an SSN receive the standard license. See ITIN vs. SSN for how the two numbers differ.
Which Documents Add Up to 6 Points in New York?
New York's form ID-44 assigns points to each document. A foreign passport, a consular ID, or a foreign driver license with photo (current or expired up to 2 years) is worth 4 points each, and a foreign national ID card with photo is worth 3. A bank statement, utility bill, or U.S. municipal ID adds 1 point.
- 16 points of proof of name — for example, a foreign passport (4) plus a foreign driver license (4), or a consular ID (4) plus 2 one-point documents.
- 2Proof of date of birth — usually covered by your passport or consular ID.
- 31 proof of New York residence with your address pre-printed (no P.O. boxes) — such as a utility bill, bank statement, or pay stub issued within 1 year, or an IRS ITIN issuance letter.
- 4Social Security proof or the NSS-1A affidavit stating you were never issued an SSN.
Documents in another language need a certified English translation. Check the current form ID-44 before your visit, because point values change between revisions.
How Much Does a New York Standard License Cost?
New York's fees for applying range from $64.50 to $107.50, depending on your age and whether you live in the Metropolitan Commuter Transportation District. You can pay by cash, check, or credit or debit card. The 5-hour pre-licensing course is extra and is set by each driving school.
The DMV lists the fee range on its Green Light Law page. Every applicant pays the same fees, whether or not they have an SSN.
How Do You Get a New York License Step by Step?
Getting a first New York license takes 5 steps: gather your 6 points of ID, pass the written permit test at a DMV office, practice with your learner permit, complete a 5-hour pre-licensing course, and pass the road test. The written test is given in 20 languages, including Spanish, Chinese, Bengali, and Haitian Creole.
- Step 1: Gather documents worth 6 points, proof of date of birth, and 1 proof of residence, and complete the license application.
- Step 2: At a DMV office, sign the NSS-1A affidavit if needed, pass the vision test, and pass the written test to get your learner permit.
- Step 3: Practice driving with a licensed supervising driver.
- Step 4: Complete a 5-hour pre-licensing course (or a 48-hour driver education course) and get your certificate.
- Step 5: Schedule and pass the road test.
The DMV's permit test page lists all 20 test languages and how to prepare.
Does New York Share License Data With Immigration Agents?
Not without a judge's order. Under the Green Light Law, the DMV may not give records to agencies that primarily enforce immigration law unless they present a lawful court order or a judicial warrant signed by a federal judge. If such an agency requests your records, the DMV must notify you within 3 days and name the agency.
The U.S. Justice Department sued New York over the law in February 2025, and a federal judge rejected that challenge in December 2025. For the federal rules on banking and immigration, see our update on the 2026 executive order.
What Can You Do With a New York Standard License?
A New York standard license lets you drive legally and buy auto insurance. It is marked "NOT FOR FEDERAL PURPOSES," so TSA airport checkpoints and some secure federal buildings won't accept it. It does not prove immigration status or work authorization, and the Green Light Law does not cover commercial licenses.
- Drive legally anywhere in New York and buy auto insurance — see car insurance without an SSN
- For air travel, carry your foreign passport or another TSA-accepted ID; see flying with an ITIN
Out of state, Wyoming treats any license or privilege card issued to an undocumented immigrant as invalid, Florida and Tennessee restrict some of them, and Georgia bars drivers without lawful status. See which states restrict these licenses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a New York non-driver ID under the Green Light Law?
No. The Green Light Law covers standard driver licenses and learner permits only. Non-driver ID cards and commercial driver licenses still require proof of lawful status.
Which languages is the New York permit test offered in?
Twenty: English, Albanian, Arabic, Bengali, Bosnian, Chinese, French, Greek, Haitian Creole, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Nepali, Polish, Russian, Spanish, Turkish, Urdu, and Yiddish.
Does a Green Light license look different from other licenses?
No. Standard licenses look the same regardless of the documents used. All standard licenses carry the "NOT FOR FEDERAL PURPOSES" marking.
Can I count my IDNYC card?
Yes. A U.S. municipal ID card with a photo, such as IDNYC, is worth 1 point and also counts as a proof of New York residence on form ID-44.
Can I fly with a New York standard license?
No. It is not REAL ID compliant, so TSA does not accept it at airport checkpoints. Use your foreign passport or another TSA-accepted ID to fly.
Which Nearby States Also Issue Licenses Without an SSN?
New York is one of 19 states, plus Washington, D.C., that license drivers without proof of lawful status. Nearby, New Jersey, Connecticut, Vermont, and Massachusetts do too, while Pennsylvania does not. Rules differ: Vermont issues a driver's privilege card, and New Jersey accepts an ITIN or an affidavit.
Compare every state's law, documents, and limits in the full driver's license guide →