International students in the US can obtain US driver’s licenses and drive across the country.
To apply, you will have to go through the following steps.
First of all, talk with your school officials and make sure your student status is active in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System. Also, school officials can guide you through specific rules and eligibility requirements established in a particular state you are studying in.
For instance, some states may require that you are allowed to stay in the US for another six months prior to applying for a driver’s license (the duration info is listed in the Form I-20, “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status”).
For more information, you can also contact the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) local office in your state.
Second of all, some states require that you should hold a Social Security Number prior to applying for a driver’s license. Get in touch with a local DMV office to find this out.
If you do need a Social Security Number, contact Social Security Administration in your state. To apply for a SSN, you will need to fill out an application form and provide your personal details like name, age and immigration status. Some students can study in the US but are not entitled to work. In that case, Social Security Administration will provide you with another form (SSA-L676), which functions as a replacement for a Social Security Number when applying for a driver’s license.