Having a US driver’s license or state identification (State ID) offers many benefits. A driver’s license is not only a necessary requirement for legally driving in the US as a long-term resident, but both a driver’s license and State ID serve as primary forms of identification and age verification in the US. They are used for administrative procedures, mailing, boarding flights, purchasing alcohol, and more. Each state has different requirements for obtaining a driver’s license or State ID, so it is advisable to carefully read and prepare the necessary documents and materials according to the guidelines. This section will use applying for a Pennsylvania driver’s license or State ID as an example.
Why Needs Photo ID
A photo ID refers to an identification document that includes the holder’s name, photo, date of birth, and residential address. US driver’s licenses or state identifications (State IDs) are the most commonly used photo IDs in the US, issued by each state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Apart from the requirement for legal driving, a photo ID is frequently needed in daily life in the US for identity verification and age verification (e.g., purchasing alcohol, boarding flights).
Since student IDs may not have complete information, they are often not accepted as valid photo IDs outside of the school environment. While a passport can serve as a photo ID, it can be troublesome if lost, so it is not recommended to carry it frequently. Therefore, for long-term residents in the US, it is advisable to apply for a driver’s license or State ID issued by the respective state. Additionally, international driver’s licenses have more limitations compared to US driver’s licenses. In the case of Pennsylvania, an international driver’s license is valid for only one year and must be used in conjunction with a Taiwanese driver’s license. Some states may not accept international driver’s licenses, which can pose a risk of driving without a valid license in those states. A US driver’s license, on the other hand, allows you to drive in any state within the US. There is an agreement between Taiwan and Pennsylvania that allows for the exchange of a Pennsylvania driver’s license without a test for Taiwanese license holders. Therefore, obtaining a Taiwanese driver’s license first will be much more convenient.
Apart from a driver’s license and State ID, what other identification documents can be used as a photo ID?
Passport
Green Card
Trusted Traveler ID (e.g., Global Entry Card)
Government Employee ID
U.S. Military / Military Dependent ID
…
How to Transfer Taiwanese Driver’s License to Pennsylvania
For detailed information and document downloads, please refer to the TECO link:
Official Translation of Taiwanese Driver’s License: Issued by the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in New York, it can be processed in person, by mail, or through an authorized representative (requires notarization, not recommended). Required documents:。
Taiwanese Driver’s License: For in-person processing, you need to prepare the original and a photocopy of the Taiwanese Driver’s License; for mail processing, only a photocopy is required, and the original does not need to be sent.
Document Certification Application Form.
Passport: For in-person processing, you need the original passport and a photocopy of the passport’s data page, which will be returned upon issuance; for mail processing, only a photocopy of the data page is required, and the original does not need to be sent.
Driver’s License Translation Form: After filling out the form, send the electronic file (.doc) to [email protected].
Document Verification Fee: $15 per copy.
If you choose to have the official translation of the Taiwanese Driver’s License sent back to you (usually for mail processing), you need to include a self-addressed stamped envelope (limited to USPS).
Cash payment is accepted for in-person processing; for mail processing, only Money Order (recommended) or Cashier’s Check made payable to TECO in New York is accepted.
Multiple applications can be mailed together. It is recommended to mail a maximum of 5 sets of documents together.
TECO no longer accepts separately attached postage. Since 2022, if you choose to have the official translation of the Taiwanese Driver’s License sent back, a self-addressed stamped envelope must be included. Money Orders with postage included are no longer accepted.
Mailing Copies Do not write on the photos. If there are any remarks on the photos such as “For the purpose of applying for an official translation of the Taiwanese Driver’s License at TECO in New York,” the photos will be requested to be resent.
How to Purchase a Money Order? It is recommended to purchase a Money Order from a USPS counter before mailing and include it in the envelope along with the documents. For information on what Money Orders are and how to purchase them, please refer to the section on transferring funds within the US.
Self-Addressed Stamped Envelope It is recommended to purchase an envelope and stamps from a USPS counter before mailing and include it in the envelope along with the documents. For postage, Priority Mail is generally sufficient (delivery time is approximately 1-3 business days, with tracking available). Postage rates are subject to the latest regulations of the United States Postal Service (USPS), please refer to the Retail Postage Price Calculator for details.
It is uncertain whether Prepaid Forever Priority Mail Flat Rate can be requested for mailing. This option may be cheaper than purchasing an envelope and stamps.
SSN or SSN denial letter, please refer to the section on applying for an SSN.
Most recent I-94 record, download link.
Two proofs of residence (e.g., bank statements, utility bills, lease agreements, etc., mobile phone bills are not accepted)
Passport and U.S. visa
Taiwanese Driver’s License and International Driver’s License (both must be valid and not expired)
Identification documents (e.g., I-20), depending on immigration status
Ensuring Validity of Identification Documents For the issuance of a driver’s license or state ID, the I-20 or DS-2019 must have a validity period of 11 months (preferably over 1 year). During the pandemic, the requirement has been reduced to a validity period of 6 months or longer.
Proof of Residence Officially accepted proof of residence includes utility bills, lease agreements, and tax documents (W-2 Form). In practice, the DMV may accept bank statements and addresses on Amazon packages (without the entire box). DMV personnel may not accept handwritten lease agreements or mobile phone bills, but some may accept bank statements from a checking or savings account as two proofs of residence. If unsure of what documents to provide as proof of residence, it is advisable to bring all relevant mail and documents with addresses to the DMV for the personnel to choose from. Additionally, the addresses on the two proofs of residence must match exactly.
License Exchange Process
Visit the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), with the nearest location for license exchange being Downtown. It is recommended to arrive and queue before the opening hours.
Undergo a vision test at the counter (testing corrected vision).
Test whether you can see flashing lights on both sides. Have your photo taken, provide a signature, and pay the required fees (credit cards have been accepted since 2019).
Receive a temporary driver’s license on the spot (valid for 15 days, equivalent to a regular driver’s license), and the official driver’s license will be mailed within 5-7 days.
Translation of License Not in the System The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in New York needs to email the translation to a dedicated mailbox of the Pennsylvania government. Sometimes, the reason for the translation not being in the system is due to the staff at TECO not being familiar with the system or a delay in uploading the translation by TECO or an oversight by the recipient at the state government, causing the DMV to not find the translation’s validity. In such cases, contact TECO in New York to notify them and provide the missing information. You can call 212-317-7300 or, if unable to reach them, try the consular hotline at 212-486-0088. After TECO re-uploads the information, it takes approximately 48-72 hours for the data to enter the DMV system. Therefore, visit the DMV for processing after about 3 days. If the data still cannot be found, you may need to visit the DMV multiple times or request TECO in New York to resend the information.
No SSN or Non-Standard Denial Letter Received The term “Denial Letter” originally referred to the “Ineligibility for SSN” letter (refer to PUB 195NC). However, during the pandemic, many people received a response letter that is not a genuine Denial Letter. The letter indicates that while the issuance of an SSN is not possible, it does not confirm the lack of eligibility for applying for an SSN (as shown in the image below). In practice, the application document for a photo ID (DL-160 Form) only requires a letter from the SSA indicating that the SSA has not yet made a decision or a rejection letter from the SSA. Therefore, in addition to those who have received such a Denial Letter, individuals who have applied for an SSN but have not yet received it can also apply for a driver’s license at the DMV using the receipt for the SSN application.
Getting a Pennsylvania Driver’s License
The examination process consists of two parts: the Knowledge Test and the Road Test. For detailed information, please refer to the provided links.
License Application Process
Download and study the Pennsylvania Driver’s Manual.
Complete Form DL-180 (Physical Examination Form).
Take the Knowledge Test.
Although the test is available in Chinese, due to translation quality issues, it is recommended to choose the English test.
Upon passing the test, you will receive a Learner’s Permit.
With the Learner’s Permit, you can practice driving with someone who has a valid driver’s license in the car.
There are WeChat groups where Chinese individuals offer accompanying driving services at around $60 per hour.
Schedule the Road Test.
You can schedule it online (if you don’t have an SSN, you need to provide visa or I-94 information) or by phone (717-412-5300).
A single permit allows up to three attempts without any time interval requirement or additional fees. If you exceed the attempts, you will need to submit Form DL-31 to request an extension, with a fee of $5.
As the DMV does not provide vehicles for the road test, you must have a person with a valid U.S. driver’s license accompany you.
On the day of the road test, bring your permit, proof of vehicle insurance, vehicle registration, and the accompanying person’s valid U.S. driver’s license.
Since rental car companies typically do not provide the required documents, you may need to borrow a car from someone you know.
There are WeChat groups where Chinese individuals offer accompanying test services at around $100 per test.
Obtain your driver’s license. If you pass the road test at a PennDot Driver License Center, you will receive your driver’s license on the spot.
Driver’s License Physical Examination
There are three main options for the physical examination:
School: CMU University Health Service and Pitt Wellness Center offer physical examinations for a fee.
Primary Care: You can have your own family doctor conduct the physical examination, covered by your insurance. If it coincides with the Annual Wellness Visit, there will be no charge. Refer to the Primary Care section for more details.
Urgent Care: Some UPMC Urgent Care locations offer physical examination services without an appointment. Refer to the UPMC website for more information.
Parallel parking: Fully park the vehicle within a 24×8-foot space without touching the front and rear poles or the curb, and without making more than three adjustments. Practice is allowed at the road test center outside of Monday to Saturday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. On-road driving:
Each testing center has a fixed route. The Penn Hills Driver License Center route can be found on their website.
License Renewal
Usually, a driver’s license is valid for only 4 years or until the end of your legal status (e.g., Program End Date on the I-20). The required documents for license renewal are:
Form DL-143 (available for online download) or DL60A/D (DMV will send a renewal invitation three months before expiration)
SSN or SSN denial letter (refer to the SSN application section)
Latest I-94 record (download link)
Passport and U.S. visa.
Immigration documents (e.g., I-20)
Two proofs of residency (required only if there has been a change of address)
SSN (required only if applying for a REAL ID)
Do F1-OPT students need an EAD card to renew their driver’s license? In theory, an EAD card is required to renew a driver’s license. However, according to multiple reports, the DMV does not always insist on having an EAD card. Nevertheless, presenting the I-20 and I-94 documents is still necessary.
Applying for a State ID
The required documents for applying for a state ID are similar to those for obtaining a Pennsylvania driver’s license, except that Form DL-180 is not needed.
REAL ID
What is REAL ID?
REAL ID is not a separate ID but refers to identification documents that meet the requirements of the REAL ID Act, a federal law. Accepted documents include:
REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or state ID
Passport
Permanent Resident Card (Green Card)
EAD Card
Global Entry Card
Government Employee ID
U.S. Military/Military Dependent ID
…
REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or state ID
Under the requirements for identity verification, some states’ photo IDs may have additional markings (e.g., Pennsylvania includes a yellow background with a white star in the top right corner).
Any valid resident of Pennsylvania can apply for a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or state ID.
REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses and state IDs have a star marking in the top right corner.
Starting from May 3, 2023, a REAL ID-compliant identification document is required to board domestic flights in the United States or enter federal or military facilities. For driving or general identification purposes, a regular driver’s license or state ID is sufficient.
Indicating REAL ID
When applying for a driver’s license or state ID, if you do not specifically request a REAL ID-compliant version, the DMV staff will not automatically process it.
The required documents for obtaining a REAL ID are listed on the official website:
Passport and U.S. visa
SSN or SSN denial letter
Two proofs of residency (e.g., unexpired driver’s license, vehicle registration, car insurance card, utility bills)
