New York resident with NYS Permit getting a Florida Drivers License and driving in NY?

Question

Hello,

I'm a 17-year-old NYS resident who has a NYS learners permit.

My family owns an apartment in Florida which we travel to many times a year.

In New York, in order to get your NYS license under the age of 18, you must take a drivers education course. I never took this course. Why? I have outside of school obligations that require nearly all my free time.

During my next trip to Florida, can I take a road test in Florida and receive a drivers license from Florida? Can I then use it in New York? Do I have to be a resident of Florida? I don't attend school in Florida so I don't believe I'm a full resident. I don't know what classification I would fall under, do you?

Please don't simply quote the DMV website. I have looked at both New York's DMV website as well as Florida's DMV website and the wording is very vague.

Thanks for your help.

Just to clarify: I'm not moving to Florida. I don't even know if I have residency. My family owns property in Florida and we travel there often.

User Free Thinker, thanks for the response. I'll make sure to bring you some New York bagels, pizza, and canolis. ;)

sensible_man: So just to clarify, it can be done?

What's the problem with driving with a Florida license and New York plates?

Answer 1

To get a driver licence in Florida you have to prove residence, entitlement to be in Florida, and identity. You aren't resident, so fuggedaboutit. You are resident in New York, so you can only have a New York licence. And what't the point of telling us not to quote the CMV website? They are the people that are going to tell you I am right! So I am going to quote them anyway. Besides, there is nothing vague if you know how to look for information.

"Provide the following:
Two original or certified identification documents.
Social Security card, if you have one.
Proof that you've completed a Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education course.
Parental Consent Form, which must be signed in the presence of the driver license examiner or notarized. "
Id acceptable:
http://www.hsmv.state.fl.us/ddl/faqkeys.html#USC

Answer 2

As a native NYer and now a resident of Florida I will tell you that all you need is a pulse to get a permit or take a driving test here. I live in Ocala, north central Florida. If you take your test here it is likely that NY will accept it but then again it may be challenged. NY tends to be quite a bit more strict. If you were coming from NY and had your license already then all you would need to do is go to the DMV and get your license changed over for a small fee. Believe me they let the legally blind drive down here! As far as residency is concerned you do own a place down here and probably can use the address so I don't think that is an issue. Do yourself a favor and call the local DMV here in Ocala it is [phone] and ask questions.

A hint for you from a long time, born and raised NYer
When the man or woman answers the phone say "yes ma'am (or) sir" my name is... and throughout the conversation answer with yes ma'am/sir or no ma'am/sir it will get you a lot further than the NY demanding attitude which they detest down here. It is called respect!

Best Wishes
And could you bring me some really good NY canoli's!
Thank you Sir : )

Go Ahead and Make My Day!!!

Add on: Florida cops realize that we have a lot of snowbirds here 6mths here 6mths up north. They don't expect the snowbirds to change their licenses but in NY that is not necessarily the way they operate. You could easily get a ticket in NY with a Florida license. I think they give you 30 days to change your license.
Just out of curiosity, how close is your 18th birthday? I don't really want an answer to that question but it may just be easier for you to wait. I know it seems like a million years away but it was only yesterday that I was 18 now I'm pushing 50. And just for the record, Women have short hair too! Like this woman does! : )

Answer 3

Drivers Permit Florida

Answer 4

2

Answer 5

Florida Drivers Permit

Answer 6

Free Thinker told you some of the (horrifying) truths about Florida licensees. He forgot about driving with the left turn signal continuously on. The problem you will have (since you are under 18) is that you need to have a Learners permit for at least one year to get a permanent licence. You also need paperwork certifying 50 hours of driving experience with at least 10 hours of night driving. Then comes the bigger problem. You go back to NY and are driving a vehicle with NY plates and a Florida drivers license. Thats where the hassle starts. Might just as well get the license in NY. I lived in Ocala for 11 years and had kids get their licenses there.

Answer 7

Ok, 1st things 1st. You should find out if Florida will allow you to hand-in your NYS Permit for a Florida one. If they do, great, then take your road test in Florida, pass and get a Florida Driver's License.

When you come back to NY, go to DMV, turn in your Florida Driver's License and get a NYS Driver's License. It's called reciprocity, you will not have to take another road test or written test. I think the only "State" that makes you do either of the above, is the District of Columbia (and that's because of all the traffic circles).

With a Florida Driver's License, you are permitted to drive in NY, however, if you're stopped (infraction, checkpoint, etc) and the car you're driving has NY plates and you have a Florida license, some questions might be asked. A driver's license from any other State will permit you drive in NY, you are expected to follow NYS rules and if you don't and get "suspended" or "revoked", it will be your "privilege" of operating a motor vehicle in NYS that suffers. Although I must tell you that both NY & Florida are part of the Driver's Compact, the 2 DMV's share information, & it just so happens that if NY suspends/revokes your driving privilege - they will notify Florida & Florida will suspend your Florida license for failure to obey Out-Of-State rules.

You're expected to turn in your Out-of-State license to NYS DMV if you are going to reside in NY. You could be charged with 509.1 of the VTL for being "unlicensed" in NY & being a NY resident ($50 fine + $50 surcharge).

However, if Florida will not allow you to turn in your permit for 1 of their's, then, either a) take the road test here in NY after you turn 18 or b)when you go down to FLorida, apply for their permit and then take their road test - get a FLorida license - then come back to NY and turn it in under the reciprocity rules I explained above.

Answer 8

Legally, you are only allowed to get a license in your home state (unless you aren't a US resident). Of course, many people do travel to less strict states and get away with it, but this would technically be fraud and you could get into trouble for it.

Each state has different rules for residency. But in general, if you are living in a state for AT LEAST half the year on average, then you could make a good argument that you are a resident. Anything less than that and you are on shaky grounds. If you neither go to school in Florida nor live there half the year, then I wouldn't recommend trying it.

Answer 9

How are you getting to the DMV? Is your mother driving without a license? That's illegal. You can't drive home unless there is a licensed driver in the seat beside you. The DMV is going to want to verify that you have that licensed driver with you. Look in the driver's license handbook online for the proof of residence needed to apply. It has all the information.

Answer 10

A learners permit is ONLY valid in the state that issued it. Your New York learners permit would not be valid in Florida. Sorry.