Photo: J. Passepartout, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
To get a New York learner permit, you bring a completed MV-44 application plus proofs of identity, date of birth and New York residence. The identity proofs work on a points system: they must add up to at least 6 points, with at least one signed document. This checklist is for first-time applicants and parents, and explains the point system, the under-21 parent statement and the Standard, Enhanced and REAL ID choice.
The New York permit checklist
- Form MV-44, Application for Permit, Driver License or Non-Driver ID Card, filled in.
- Proofs of name worth 6 points or more, from the list on form ID-44, including at least one signed document.
- Proof of date of birth.
- Proof of New York residence.
- Proof of Social Security number, or the alternative described below.
- Under 21 using a parent’s statement: form MV-45, with the parent or guardian present.
- Glasses or contacts for the vision test.
- The fee, $64.25 to $102.50 depending on age and where you live. See New York license fees.
Bring originals. Before you go, the DMV’s online Document Guide and pre-screening tool will tell you which proofs fit your situation.
How the New York 6-point ID system works
Each identity document has a point value on form ID-44 (“How to Apply for a New York Learner Permit, Driver License or Non-Driver ID”). Your documents must total 6 points or more. Some examples from ID-44:
| Document | Points |
|---|---|
| Current New York photo driver license, permit or non-driver ID (or one expired less than 2 years) | 6 |
| U.S. passport or passport card | 4 |
| Original U.S. Social Security card | 2 |
A first-time teen applicant usually has no New York photo ID, so most combine documents. Point values and the full list change from time to time, so check the current ID-44 before you go. Some documents, such as a birth certificate, mainly prove date of birth. Check how many name points ID-44 gives them, and don’t count on them to reach 6 by themselves.
Example combination for a 16-year-old
- U.S. passport (4 points) + Social Security card (2 points) = 6 points, with the passport also proving date of birth.
- Plus a proof of residence.
No passport? Ask about the parent’s statement route below.
Under 21: the parent’s Statement of Identity (MV-45)
If you’re under 21 and can’t reach 6 points alone, a parent or guardian can vouch for you on a Statement of Identity (MV-45). The parent or guardian must come with you and sign it in front of DMV staff. They need their own proof of identity, so check ID-44 for what they must bring.
Social Security number
If you have a Social Security number, bring proof of it. New York also issues standard (not REAL ID) permits and licenses to applicants who have never been issued a Social Security number, under the state’s Green Light law. Ask the DMV, or use its pre-screening tool, to see what you sign or bring instead. Details: New York Green Light law and licenses regardless of immigration status. International students should also read getting a US license on a student visa.
Standard, Enhanced or REAL ID permit?
| Type | What it does | Extra cost |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | Driving. Not accepted as federal ID for domestic flights from May 7, 2025. | None |
| REAL ID | Driving, plus domestic flights and federal facilities. Needs stricter proofs. | Check the DMV fee page |
| Enhanced | REAL ID uses plus some border crossings. Needs stricter proofs. | $30 |
Your permit can be Standard, Enhanced or REAL ID depending on the proofs you bring. Choosing at the permit stage saves an extra trip later. More on REAL ID: REAL ID and your first license.
Applying online first if you’re under 18
The DMV’s pre-screening tool lists the documents you need and gives under-18s the option to take the permit test online. You then visit an office to show documents and finish the permit. Wait 3 business days after an online pass before visiting. Go earlier and you must retake the test in the office. More: New York DMV permit test.
Common questions
Can I use a photocopy?
Plan on originals. The DMV checks documents in person, and its road test rules say copies aren’t accepted for the MV-278. Treat every proof the same way.
What counts as a “signed” document?
One that carries your signature, such as a signed passport or Social Security card. At least one of your 6-point proofs must be signed.
Do both parents need to come?
No. One parent or guardian signs the MV-45 if you use it, and that person must come with you.
I’m 17 and moved from another state. Which list do I use?
The same ID-44 list, plus your out-of-state documents. See moving to New York.
Can I get a permit without a Social Security number?
A standard permit, yes, if you have never been issued one. A REAL ID or Enhanced permit needs the federal-level proofs.
How long does the office visit take?
It varies by office. Arrive with every document ready, the MV-44 filled in and your glasses, and complete the online steps first.
After the permit: New York learner permit rules. Full journey: learning to drive in New York. Compare states: US first permit documents checklist.
Sources
- New York State DMV, “ID-44: How to Apply for a New York Learner Permit, Driver License or Non-Driver ID” (dmv.ny.gov)
- New York State DMV, “New York State Driver’s Manual (MV-21), Chapter 1: Driver Licenses” (dmv.ny.gov)
- New York State DMV, “Prepare For and Take Your Permit Test” (dmv.ny.gov)
- New York State DMV, “Driver License and Learner Permit Fees and Refunds” (dmv.ny.gov)