DMV in NYC

July 8, 2011 8:08 AM

I have to deal with the DMV, which is rapidly draining me of my will to live. I have two simple questions, to which I can't find the answers, unbelievably. 1) In NYC (Manhattan), do I have to schedule a written test for a learner's permit, or do I just walk in? 2) Do I have to show proof of address? I don't have any utility bills or a lease, so that is making me a bit nervous. I have all the other forms of ID though (passport, social security card, long-expired out-of-state license.)
posted by asimplemouse to Law & Government (8 answers total)

The DMV's website actually has a pretty good overview for new drivers that should have all the info you need.

1) Call the Local Office where you will want to take the test. It is not clear if you need to make an appointment, the page I linked does give the overall written test hours.

2) Yes you still need to provide proof of date of birth, as well as 4 points + SS Card:

.pdf of what counts for what/etc

Good luck!
posted by effigy at 8:17 AM on July 8, 2011

I've always (well, twice now) just walked in for a permit test, but that was in Brooklyn. If you're goign to do that, show up early.
posted by griphus at 8:23 AM on July 8, 2011

If you do have to go somewhere and live in Manhattan, I found the DMV in Harlem on 125th street to be not terrible. It may be a better choice than going downtown. Admittedly, I was last there in person eight years ago.
posted by Conrad Cornelius o'Donald o'Dell at 8:47 AM on July 8, 2011

The Harlem one is not bad, or, alternatively, go a little after the 34th st one opens. There's always a line before it opens, but getting there a little later means the line is practically gone. I have been asked to show proof of address when taking the written test for a motorcycle permit, but not for renewing my driver's license.
posted by dubold at 8:54 AM on July 8, 2011

Best answer: I've walked into the DMV downtown (on Greenwich St maybe?) and taken the written exam a few times (I keep failing to follow up on the 5 hour course bit, so i end up having to start the process from the beginning after waiting too long). i usually get there at about 2 or 3 in the afternoon and wait maybe a few minutes tops.
I'm not sure about your proof of address question, though.
posted by newpotato at 9:27 AM on July 8, 2011

Response by poster: Great, that's one answer down. Many thanks. Yes, that silly course has been looming over me for 5 years now, but I am finally ready to take the plunge and waste those 50 bucks. For the record, it also looks like those driving schools can expedite the process of waiting for the road test appointment for a price. Otherwise, the wait seems to be about 2 months. (100 bucks for a road test appointment in 7 days. 70 bucks for 3 weeks. The rich just get to weasel out of everything. Thanks, capitalism!)
posted by asimplemouse at 11:36 AM on July 8, 2011

Any chance you could get yourself up to a DMV slightly upstate? It sounds like it might be a bit of a hassle with it being the whole getting-your-license thing, but fwiw, when the 34th st dmv starting making me want to slit my wrists over a very simple issue, i took a side trip to the carmel dmv while i was visiting a friend one friday. same issue cleared up in about 5 min and no line.
posted by Tandem Affinity at 2:51 PM on July 8, 2011

Oh, God, please don't go to the dmvs in Rockland or Westchester. Just bang this out in Manhattan, mouse.
posted by dorisfromregopark at 5:32 AM on July 9, 2011