Driving in New York
You may drive legally in New York if you have a valid foreign driver’s license from your country and either a certified translation of your license or a current International Driving Permit (issued for one year only) in your possession while you drive.
You do not need to apply for a NYS driver’s license if your foreign driver’s license is valid and you have no intention to reside permanently in New York State.
International Driving Permit: An International Driving Permit is not a driver’s license. The permit only verifies that you hold a valid driver’s license in your home country. Your foreign driver’s license, not the International Driving Permit, allows you to drive in NYS. Contact the authorities in your home country to get an International Driving Permit.
Note: Even though NYS will recognize your foreign driver’s license (as long as you remain a resident of your country), you will additionally need to have an International Driving Permit to rent a car in most cases. This document is quite useful since it verifies, in several languages, that you have a valid foreign driver’s license.
In the United States driving rules and regulations are governed by the Department of Motor Vehicle of each state, please visit their website for detailed information. Here are some of the states that may be of interest to you:
