Driver’s License in USA

Maryland's Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) is one of the government agencies responsible for vehicle registration and driver licensing. Anyone driving a vehicle on the roads and highways of Maryland must have a valid Maryland driver’s license. So if you are driving with a driver’s license from your country, and you don’t have a Maryland driver’s license, you are breaking the law. Why take the risk when getting a license in Maryland is an easy process? There are several steps for foreign applicants to get their Maryland driver’s license.
The first step in the process of obtaining a driver’s license in the USA is a complete set of documents that prove you are a legal emigrant. You need to show for the MVA: a passport with current or expired visa, an I-94 Arrival/Departure Record, an identification card with date of birth, two proof of Maryland residency, an out-of-country driver’s license with translation into English, a three hour “Maryland Alcohol and Drug Education Program” certification. The most difficult for emigrants is probably proof of Maryland residency. Proof must include two pieces of firs class mail from the following: federal, state or local government agency, utility or phone company, or bank. Easy ways to fulfill this requirement are to open a checking account or to obtain a Social Security Card through the Social Security Administration. Then, you wait a few days for the mail, and with a full set of documents, you can call the MVA to make an appointment.
Once you have made an appointment at the MVA (usually 3 weeks of waiting), you have to take a three hour “Maryland Alcohol and Drugs Education Program” class. In the course, you learn about the dangers and consequences of drinking alcohol and taking drugs while driving a car. There are two ways to complete this step. First, you can take an online course, at www.3Adriving.com, which finishes with a test at a testing center. Second, you can take a three hour course at a testing center which ends with the test. You have to get a score of 85% on the final test to pass this class and get certification. The course fee is 35$, and phone numbers for testing center that offer this class are available through the MVA.
The final steps in the process of obtaining a driver’s license are practicing driving and taking the driver test. A few days before your appointment at the MVA, you should check that you have all required documents and that you know all the rules of the road. You must be at the MVA on time. As soon as you arrive, they check your papers and then give you the written test. The best way to prepare for this test is to read “Maryland Driver’s Handbook” and “Driver’s License” which are available from the MVA. After the written test, if you pass of course, it is time for the actual driving test. During this exam, you have to prove your driving is safe, and follow the rules of the road. It is the last part of the process of getting your driver’s license.
After that, you just have to wait for the MVA to mail your new driver’s license. It is a long and difficult process, but with that license, you can drive in any country. If you still have a question or if you want know more, you can get information at www.dmv.org. However, you have to remember that the most important thing is to drive safely.