Can International Students Get a Drivers License: Complete Guide
A common question almost every student holding a foreign driver’s license asks is – Can International Students Get a Drivers License?
International students in Maryland are allowed to use their valid driver’s license from their home country for up to 30 days. Within 30 days, they must obtain a Maryland driver’s license in order to continue driving in the state. (sources: www.towson.edu)
However, if your local driver’s license is not in English, you may still be charged for driving without a license if you are pulled over by the police. In that case, you will be required to have an international driver’s license along with your local license.
International driver’s licenses issued in the student’s home country are accepted in Maryland, but only for a maximum of one year or the date of expiration whichever comes first. During that time, the student must obtain a Maryland driver’s license.
Technically an international license is not valid unless you carry your foreign license. Hence it is always best practice to have them both with you when you are driving.
To obtain a Maryland driver’s license, students must be at least 18 years old and bring certain documentation to the Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) office, including their Passport, Form I-94 card, Form I-20, and proof of their Maryland address.
Further students need to provide the original social security card or the letter issued from the Social Security Administration to confirm that the individual is not eligible to obtain a social security number.
They must also pass a written test and a road test in order to obtain a learner’s permit. In addition, students, need to complete the three-hour drug and alcohol course when they are providing a valid/expired foreign driver’s license. Minors apply for the Learners Permit
How to Have Your I94 Verified Before Your Visit to MVA
The SAVE (Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements) process is a federal program that allows state agencies, like the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA), to verify an individual’s immigration status. This process is required for anyone applying for a driver’s license in Maryland who is not a U.S. citizen.
To complete the SAVE process, you must first submit the SAVE Electronic Verification Form on the MVA website. This form will be reviewed by the MVA, and you will be notified within a couple of business days if your application has been approved.
Once you receive notification from the MVA, you can visit a local MVA office in person, along with the SAVE approval notice to complete the driver’s license application process and provide any supporting documents that may be required.
It is important to note that failure to submit the SAVE Electronic Verification Form before visiting the MVA office may result in a delay in obtaining your driver’s license.
If you hold a valid driver’s license from the following countries, you would be able to convert your driver’s license to Maryland without taking the MVA Written and Road Test. You can contact the local MVA office for detailed information.
France, Germany, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan
Where I can Drive with a Maryland Driver’s License?
A valid driver’s license from one state in the United States typically allows you to drive in any other state within the country and also in Canada.
However, it is important to note that each state may have its own specific traffic laws and regulations, so it is your responsibility as the driver to familiarize yourself with these laws and obey them while driving in that state.
Additionally, some states may have different age restrictions or other requirements for obtaining a driver’s license, so it is always a good idea to check with the local DMV before driving in a new state.
