You must exchange your out-of-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 current out-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. 

You cannot exchange 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 completed Eye 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 to find what you need for a REAL ID or Enhanced permit or find 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. 

Students from other states, countries, or nations who attend school in New York State are normally not considered residents of New York State, so they do not need to exchange their current driver license.