Driving in New York State

Malaysian Driver’s License is valid in New York State, however police officers will have difficulty determining if our driver’s licenses are valid due to the Malay languages used and design (laminated paper) of our license. This can be reduced with the use of International Driving Permit (RM150/year). If you plan to drive in other states, they may have different regulations like our license is valid up to one year from the date of arrival.

New York State Law: Options for Students

International students can drive in New York State (NYS) with an International Driver’s Permit and home country driver’s license as long as they are in valid non-immigrant status, and the driver’s license and International Driver’s Permit are both valid.

However, we recommend that students obtain NYS driver’s licenses because police officers often have difficulty determining if home country driver’s licenses are valid. In addition, car insurance rates are lower if one has a NYS driver’s license.

Requirement to Obtain a NYS Driver’s License

Students’ I-20 or DS-2019 must show that they will enroll or engage in a program that will last at least one year. They must also have at least six months remaining on their I-20/DS-2019.

Obtained from:
http://wings.buffalo.edu/intlservices/isssnewslettertipsfornewstudents1-4-12.html

Continue Reading:

Driving in New York State and Buying/Insuring a Car

Additional Reading:

http://www.dmv.ny.gov/license.htm

Document Revision

1.0 – Initial Release – 08 Jan 2011

By UBMaSA.org Administrator in Guides on January 9, 2012