You don’t want to show up to the DMV without proper documentation as you won’t be allowed to take your test, whether you’re there for the permit test or the driving test.
So, what do you actually need to bring to the DMV drivers test? Well… that depends on the state you live in, the type of license you intend to get, and if you’re a minor. We’ll explain all of that and more in this article.
What you need to bring to the DMV office will be different from state to state depending on the requirements in your state. Let’s go through the documents that are generally the same:
The above-mentioned documents must be presented using the original papers or copies that are authenticated with a seal. If you are unsure of any items mentioned above, go to the DMV website in your state.
Many states specify the exact number of each document you need to provide and what document can be used for what purpose. For example; you may need to bring two documents as proof of residency. A passport is not proof of the residential address but it may be used as primary proof of identity and legal presence.
In addition, some states require primary and secondary documents that together will serve as proof, and the requirements differ for citizens and non-citizens. For example; you may need to provide both primary and secondary documents for proof of identity to prove that you are in fact who you say you are.
For a document to be valid as proof it has to contain your name, date of birth, and current residential address. Any other necessary information that can help with identification and verification will help. You should always bring an original paper if you can as copies will need to be certified before they can be accepted.
The list of accepted documents you can use as proof of, for example, residency or identity, will vary by state, but these are generally accepted in all the states as proof:
In addition to the above-mentioned documents, you can also supply a wide range of papers to prove state residency. These include, for example, your state school transcripts, mortgage or lease agreements, your earnings statement, or papers by state or local government.
If your car is not in good enough shape, the DMV examiner will postpone the driving test. All states have a set of standards that the car must abide by to be satisfactory. Don’t make the mistake of showing up in a car that does not live up to the standards set by your state as you won’t be allowed to take the road test.
The examiner will check the following:
In other words – there is quite a lot you need to check on your car before the driving test. A great idea is to go through this checklist step-by-step a week before the driving test to make sure you have time to make repairs/changes if something simply isn’t working great.
If you need additional tips or you need more information on getting your permit, check out the Zutobi Drivers Ed courses and you’ll breeze through the permit test in no time.
Many of the steps toward getting a driver’s license are the same for a citizen and a non-citizen. However, a non-citizen has to bring documents validating their stay in the United States including proof of who they are. These documents include:
Just be clear that you do in fact need to get a U.S. driver’s license. If you have a driver’s license from another country, it is likely to be valid in the U.S. as well for a limited period of time. However, you should still study the U.S. traffic laws and regulations to best prepare. We recommend taking a DMV prep course regardless of whether you already have a driver’s license or not.
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