Driving Tests

NY DMV 6 Points of ID: What to Bring for Your Permit

informational·how to guide·Published June 18, 2026

What documents do I bring to the New York DMV for a learner permit?

At a New York DMV office, you show proof of age, identity and New York residence from the list on form ID-44. Your proofs of name must total at least 6 points. A Standard permit needs 1 proof of residence. A REAL ID or Enhanced permit needs 2, plus proof of Social Security and proof of U.S. citizenship (Enhanced) or of citizenship or lawful status (REAL ID).

Where this information comes from

The facts here come from the New York State DMV form ID-44, How to Apply (revised 2/26), the DMV page Prepare For and Take Your Permit Test and the DMV page Enhanced or REAL ID. The DMV fee page, the Green Light Law page, the page for non-U.S. citizens and the New York State Driver's Manual (MV-21) add the rest. This guide is current as of 2026. Confirm the rules with the New York State DMV (dmv.ny.gov) before you drive.

How the 6 points of ID work

Each proof of name on form ID-44 has a point value. You add the points of the documents you bring, and the total must be at least 6. At least one proof must have your signature. A document in another language needs a certified English translation.
DMV accepts only one document of each type or from each source. For example, you cannot use a bank statement and a credit card statement from the same bank.

Common documents, their points and residence use

Common documents, their points and residence use
Document	Points	Proof of residence?
New York State license, permit or non-driver ID card (current, or expired no more than 2 years)	6	Yes
U.S. passport or passport card (valid)	4	No
MV-45 parent or guardian statement (if you are under 21)	4	Yes
Original U.S. Social Security card	2	No
Bank statement	1	Yes, if issued within 1 year
U.S. computer-printed pay stub	1	Yes, if issued within 1 year
Utility bill	1	Yes, if issued within 1 year
Original U.S. birth certificate	0 (proves your date of birth)	No

What counts as proof of New York residence?

A Standard permit needs 1 proof of residence. A REAL ID or Enhanced permit needs 2. Your current New York address must be pre-printed on the document, and an address with a P.O. box is not accepted. Print electronic statements and e-bills before you go. Many residence proofs count only if they were issued within 1 year.
After you get your permit, tell the DMV within 10 days if you move (see the practice question on telling the DMV about a new address).

If you are under 18

You are 16 or 17

You need parental consent, unless you are 17 and have a Driver Education Certificate of Completion (form MV-285). At 17, that certificate also lets you upgrade a junior (DJ) license to a Class D license (see the practice question on license class after driver education).

You use the MV-45 parent or guardian statement

The MV-45 is worth 4 points and also counts as a proof of residence. Your parent or guardian must come with you and sign it in front of a DMV representative, so do not sign it at home. You still need a birth certificate or other proof of date of birth.

You want to take the permit test online

This option is only for applicants under 18. After you pass, DMV needs three business days to review your test results and identity documents. If you go to an office sooner, you must take the test again there.

Standard, REAL ID and Enhanced permits: proofs and extra fee

Standard, REAL ID and Enhanced permits: proofs and extra fee
Credential	What you must show	Extra fee	Who can get it and what it does
Standard	Proof of date of birth, 1 proof of residence and 6 points of proof of name	None	All New Yorkers age 16 and older, whatever their citizenship or lawful status. Marked NOT FOR FEDERAL PURPOSES, and you cannot use it to board a domestic flight.
REAL ID	Proof of Social Security, proof of citizenship or lawful status, 2 proofs of residence and 6 points of proof of name	None	U.S. citizens, and non-citizens who can show proof of lawful presence. You can use it to board a domestic flight.
Enhanced	Proof of Social Security, proof of U.S. citizenship, 2 proofs of residence and 6 points of proof of name	$30 (U.S. dollars)	U.S. citizens only. You can also use it to cross the U.S. border by land or sea from Canada, Mexico and some Caribbean countries.

Do I need a Social Security number for a New York permit?

You must bring one item about Social Security from Section A of form ID-44. It can be your original Social Security card or your number printed on your application (form MV-44). Under the Green Light Law, you do not need a Social Security card, and a person who was never issued a number can apply for a Standard permit with a signed affidavit (form NSS-1 or NSS-1A). The affidavit is not accepted for a REAL ID or Enhanced permit, and the number without the card is not accepted for Enhanced. The guide to the Green Light Law explains who can apply.

What does a New York permit cost?

The total fee for your first permit depends on your age and on where you live. Residents of the Metropolitan Commuter Transportation District (MCTD) pay an extra MCTD fee. For a Class D or DJ permit, a 16 to 16½ year old pays $80.00, or $90.00 with the MCTD fee. A person aged 21 and older pays $64.25 to $67.50, or $73.25 to $77.50 with the MCTD fee. An Enhanced permit costs $30 more. The New York permit and license fee guide has the fees for every age.

How to get your documents ready

1
Run the pre-screening tool
Use the DMV interactive pre-screening tool. It shows the forms and documents for your case and lets you complete a permit application to print and bring.
2
Choose your credential
Pick Standard, REAL ID or Enhanced. This sets how many residence proofs you need and whether you need proof of Social Security and of citizenship or lawful status.
3
Add up your name points
Use the point values on form ID-44. Your proofs of name must total at least 6 points.
4
Find your residence proofs
Pick 1 document (Standard) or 2 documents (REAL ID or Enhanced) with your current New York address pre-printed. Check the issue date.
5
Go to the DMV office
Bring your application (form MV-44), your original documents and the fee. You must pass the permit test and a vision test. An out-of-state permit, license or ID card may be cancelled when New York issues yours.

Key takeaways

Bring proof of age, identity and New York residence. Your proofs of name must total at least 6 points on form ID-44.
A U.S. passport is worth 4 points and an original Social Security card 2 points. A U.S. birth certificate proves your age but gives 0 points.
A Standard permit needs 1 proof of residence. A REAL ID or Enhanced permit needs 2, plus proof of Social Security and of citizenship (or lawful status, for REAL ID).
If you are under 18 and use the MV-45, your parent or guardian comes with you and signs it in front of a DMV representative.
Next step: practice on the free New York Class D permit practice test.

NY DMV documents: common questions

Can I bring photocopies or expired documents to the DMV?

No. Bring original documents, or copies certified by the agency that issued them. DMV does not accept expired documents unless form ID-44 says so. For example, a New York license, permit or non-driver ID card still counts for up to 2 years after it expires. DMV also refuses damaged documents and documents with changes or erasures.

Can I use a passport for my New York permit?

Yes. A valid U.S. passport or passport card is worth 4 points and proves your date of birth. You need at least 2 more points, for example from your original Social Security card (2 points). A passport is not a proof of residence, so also bring 1 residence proof for a Standard permit, or 2 for a REAL ID or Enhanced permit.

Is a birth certificate enough ID for a New York permit?

No. An original U.S. birth certificate proves your date of birth, but it gives 0 points of proof of name. You need other documents to reach 6 points. For example, an applicant under 21 can bring a birth certificate, the MV-45 parent or guardian statement (4 points) and an original Social Security card (2 points). The MV-45 also counts as a proof of residence.

Can I use my parent's ID as proof of address?

Yes, as a proof of residence. Form ID-44 accepts a parent's or spouse's ID when it shows the same last name as yours, or when you bring proof of the relationship. It gives 0 points of proof of name, so it does not help you reach 6 points.

What if the name on my documents is different?

For a REAL ID or Enhanced permit, DMV prints only your full legal name, and a nickname is not allowed. If your name changed, for example after a marriage or a divorce, bring proof of each change, such as a marriage certificate or a divorce decree. These documents show the link between all your names.