Driver`s License
Information
Driver's license is one of the most important documents required in the United States. It is in your best interest to get an Driver's License as soon as possible. This is because, a driver's license serves a dual purpose - it allows you to drive a car and it also serves as a valid photo bearing identification which you need to show at many places like banks, grocery stores etc.At most places Driver's license is the only valid PHOTO-ID.
The road rules are very different from and far stricter than those in India. Getting used to right hand drive and the road speeds in the U.S. can also take some time. You will need to take a few lessons, familiarize yourself with the driving rules for your state, and buy some insurance before taking to the road.
Though you will have to obtain an in-state American license eventually (the time period allowed to do this differs from state to state), an IDP will soon make you functional on the road. You can drive on your IDP until it expires (Be very careful though). On no account should you attempt to drive as soon as you arrive in the U.S.as you may do yourself some grave injury. You can get a driver's license the day you get your Social Security.
You need a Date of Birth Proof and a Proof of Signatures. You can not use the same document for both proofs.
Use your passport AND your social security card for your identity - date of birth included. For signature proof you can use a cleared check from the bank, a copy is good enough for that (which can be available online too) or your IDP, if you have one.
For residence proof, use a utility bill or bank statement (cell phone is not a utility but a luxury and credit card statement is not a valid bank statement).
Procedure
Getting driver's license is not very difficult here. Before appearing for a driving test behind the wheels one has to clear a written test conducted by DMV ( Department of Motor Vehicles - similar to RTO in India ). Each state has their own laws for driving a vehicle. DMV issues a book on the rules which are required to be followed very strictly. This book gives detailed information about all the laws and is written in a very nice manner. It is very easy to follow all the rules as they are nicely explained and if necessary, supported by good photographs.
After understanding the contents of this book you can appear for the written exam. You can appear for the test on any working day. You can call up DMV and take an appointment with them or you can even go directly. They will check your Passport and will give you a question paper. Questions are objective type and you have to choose the best answer for each question. Time is no limit for the exam. After you are done with it, the person on the counter will immediately check your paper and will tell you your score. Upon passing this test you will get your temporary driving license which is valid for two months.
DMV also issues an ID card. This is issued by the state government. You can use this Id card as a Photo-Id till you get your driver's license. At some places you are required to produce two Photo-Ids, that time it is very useful to have this photo-id.
During the period of temporary license one can appear for the driving test. You can practice on a rented car or if you are not very confident then you can even go for some driving lessons. For driving lessons you can go to a driving school or to a private teacher. Private teachers are a little cheaper when compared to driving school. Once you are ready for the test, again you will have to take an appointment with DMV for the driving test. On the day of appointment you have to go there with your learning license. The car in which you will give your driving test should have proper Insurance papers. Also check all the controls, including signal lights and brake lights. If any of these is not in shape, you will not be allowed to appear for the test.
This test will be for 100 marks. After your test, the driving inspector will immediately tell you your result. Generally they explain your mistakes to you so that you can work on them and rectify. If you have passed you will get your license immediately in most places.
If you fail there is no minimum period required between the time you can appear again. So you can practice again and appear as soon as you can.
Read the manual at the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) website at
http://www.mass.gov/rmv/dmanual/index.htm
Check this link out for more information.
http://www.mass.gov/rmv/license/international.htm