Most states have various types of licenses for various purposes. Your state may have fewer or additional types of licenses and the requirements may differ as well. Some general examples are as follows:
Photo Identification Card
You must show proof of identity and residence.
There are no age restrictions. Adults or children can obtain ID cards.
All ID cards are valid for five years from the date of issuance.
The fee for an ID card is $5.00.
Learner's Permit
You must meet your states minimum age requirement.
Complete a learner's permit and driver license application form.
Furnish proof of social security, residency, and original identification document certifying name and date of birth.
Pass a multiple choice knowledge test.
Pass a vision test.
Have a digitized photo taken at the licensing office.
The DMV does ask for organ donor preference on the learner's permit/driver's license application. This information is available to medical personnel when a donation is being considered. It is important to share donor preference with family members since their consent is required before organs may be taken in the event of the driver's death.
Drivers with a mental or physical condition that may impair their ability to safely operate a motor vehicle, even temporarily, must provide the licensing office with a medical statement from a doctor. Vision changes, seizures, impaired judgment, impaired motor function, and loss of consciousness are some examples of these conditions. A state employee will evaluate the medical information to determine if a license may be issued or restricted.
Provisional Driver's License
You must meet a minimum age requirement.
Many states require that you hold the permit for a prescribed minimum time frame and drive a minimum number of hours supervised by your parents.
You may be required to complete a state approved driver education program.
Have parent/guardian permission.
Motorcycle Learner's Permit
You must pass the knowledge test.
If you do not currently hold a valid learner's permit or driver's license, you must also pass the driver's license knowledge test.
You may not be allowed on limited access highways, such as interstate highways.
You may be required to wear an approved safety helmet.
You must be supervised by a person at least 21 years old who is licensed to operate a motorcycle or your parent, legal guardian, or sibling. No one, other than the operator, can be on the motorcycle.
Motorcycle Driver's License
If you wish to operate a motorcycle, you must pass the motorcycle knowledge and skills tests. If you already hold a driver's license, you may add a class M to your license.
School Bus Driver's License
If you wish to operate a school bus designed to carry fewer than 16 passengers, normally you do not need to obtain a commercial driver's license. However, you will need to take the commercial driver and school bus tests to obtain the school bus endorsement on your driver's license. You will be restricted to driving a bus designed to carry fewer than 16 passengers. This restriction will be printed on your license.
Commercial Driver's License
Class A-Combination heavy vehicle – any combination of vehicles with a gross combination weight rating of 26,001 or more pounds, provided the gross vehicle weight rating of the vehicles being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
Class B-Heavy straight vehicle or other combination – any single motor vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing a vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating that is not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
Class C-Small vehicle – any vehicle that does not fit the definition of a Class A or Class B vehicle and is either (i) designed to transport sixteen or more passengers including the driver or (ii) designed to transport sixteen or more passengers including the driver or (iii) is used in the transportation of hazardous materials.
Commercial Classes: Endorsements and Restrictions
Commercial driver's licenses shall be issued with endorsements and restrictions that authorize/restrict the driver to operate certain types of vehicles.
Type T Licenses—Vehicles with double or triple trailers
Type P Licenses—Vehicles carrying passengers
Type N Licenses—Vehicles with cargo tanks
Type H Licenses—Vehicles required to be placarded for hazardous materials
Type K Licenses—Vehicles not equipped with air brakes
Persons authorized to drive Class A vehicles are also authorized to drive Classes B and C vehicles, provided such persons possess the requisite endorsements for the type of vehicle driven.
Persons authorized to drive Class B vehicles are also authorized to drive Class C vehicles, provided such persons possess the requisite endorsements for the type of vehicle driven.
Any licensee who seeks to add a classification or endorsement to his commercial driver's license must submit the application forms, certifications, and other updated information required by the licensing office and shall take and successfully complete the tests required for such classification or endorsement.
Identification
To apply for a driver's license, learner's permit, or photo identification card, students younger than 18 years of age must appear in person and bring one form of identification. Identification documents must show the student's complete name and date of birth, and must be original or duplicate documents issued by the federal or state government. No photocopies will be accepted. A list of acceptable documents can be found in your state driver handbook.
Proof of Social Security Number
Social security card
W-2 tax form
Income tax return from a previous year
Payroll check or check stub
Unexpired U.S. Military identification card
Proof of Residency
Most states will accept the following documents as proof of residency. All documents must be written in English and show the applicant's name and the street address of his/her primary residence as it appears on the application for license. A post office box is not acceptable.
Payroll check or payroll stub issued by an employer within two months of the application
Voter registration card
U.S. Internal Revenue Service tax reporting W-2 form (not more than 18 months old)
Bank statement (not checks) that is not more than two months old
U.S. passport
U.S. income tax return from the previous year
State income tax return for the previous year
State vehicle registration card or title
Utility bills issued to applicant
Receipt for personal property taxes or real estate taxes paid to the state or city, county, town or locality within the last year
Current automobile or life insurance policy.
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