Driving in the US on a UK licence, and NYC transport

You can drive in New York on your UK licence as a visitor, but once you live here the state expects you to get a New York licence, and that means a road test.

The short version

Visitors can drive in New York State on a licence from any country. An International Driving Permit isn't required by the state but is helpful [1].
The FCDO says a UK photocard licence can be used in the US and you may also need a 1949 IDP, which you have to buy in the UK before you go (£5.50) [2][3].
Once you become a New York resident you must get a New York licence within 30 days. UK licences can't be swapped: you apply as a new driver, with a written test, a five-hour course and a road test [1][4].
In the city, most Brits don't bother with a car. The subway and local buses cost $3 (about £2.23) a ride, and OMNY caps your spending at $35 (about £26) over seven days [5][6].

Pound conversions in this guide use the Bank of England spot rate of 5 November 2026 (£1 = USD 1.3476).

Your UK licence: visiting vs living here

New York's DMV draws a clear line between visitors and residents.

As a visitor, you don't need a New York licence. The DMV says that if you hold a driver licence from any nation, you can drive in the state on it, and that an IDP isn't required but helps police officers who can't read your home licence [1].

The FCDO travel advice for the USA, when we checked on 7 November 2026 (page updated 30 October 2026), says you can use a UK photocard driving licence in the US, that you may also need an IDP (the 1949 version), and that rules vary by state [2]. If you still have an old paper licence, carry your passport as photo ID. Hire car firms often set stricter rules, such as a minimum age, years of driving experience or an IDP.

You can only get an IDP in the UK, in person at shops with a PayPoint, for £5.50 [3]. Pick one up before you fly, especially if you'll drive in other states on your first trips.

As a resident, the rules change. The DMV says new residents must get a New York State driver licence within 30 days, and that a licence from outside the US or Canada can't simply be exchanged [1]. How "resident" applies to someone on a temporary visa isn't always obvious, so if you're here on a posting and plan to drive, check with the DMV rather than assume your UK licence will do for years.

Getting a New York licence, step by step

There's no swap for UK licences. You go through the same process as a first-time driver, although your experience will make the road test far less nerve-racking than it was the first time round [4].

Get your paperwork in order. You'll need proof of identity, date of birth and New York residence, and your SSN if you have one. The DMV publishes a list of the documents it accepts, so check it before you go.
Fill in form MV-44, the application for a learner permit, driver licence or non-driver ID [4].
Take the written test at a DMV office. It's multiple choice on New York road rules and signs; the official driver's manual covers it.
Complete the five-hour pre-licensing course with an approved driving school [4].
Book and pass the road test. You'll need a car and a licensed driver to bring you. When you pass, you hand your foreign licence to the examiner [1][4].
Get your licence. The DMV issues it once you've passed; it explains on the day how the card reaches you.

Before handing over your UK licence, think about the day you go back. Keep a copy, check your DVLA record online, and read our guide to driving abroad on a UK licence. Ask the DVLA how you'd get your UK entitlement back before you move home, because you can't assume a US licence can be exchanged for a British one when you return.

A New York licence also works as everyday photo ID, which saves carrying your passport to the pub.

Insurance and running a car

Car insurance in New York is expensive, and with no US driving record you'll be priced as a newcomer. It's worth asking your UK insurer for a letter confirming your no-claims history before you leave, as some insurers may take it into account. Then add parking: in Manhattan a garage space can cost as much as a flat in some UK towns, and street parking comes with alternate-side rules for street cleaning.

There's also a congestion toll for driving into Manhattan south of 60th Street, charged by E-ZPass or by post. The rate depends on the time of day; check the MTA's congestion relief zone pages for the current figure.

A few rules that trip Brits up:

Drive on the right, and give way to pedestrians at crossings when turning.
In New York City you can't turn right on a red light unless a sign says you can, unlike much of the rest of the US.
School buses with flashing red lights stop traffic in both directions.
Speed limits are in miles per hour, and fuel is sold by the US gallon, which is smaller than the imperial gallon you remember.

Getting around without a car

Most British New Yorkers in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens never own a car. Manhattan is only about 21 km (13 miles) long, the subway runs 24 hours, and walking is often quicker than a taxi in traffic.

Way to travel	Fare (2026)	In pounds (approx.)
Subway and local bus, per ride	$3	£2.23
Express bus, per ride	$7.25	£5.38
OMNY 7-day cap (subway and local bus)	$35	£26
OMNY 7-day cap including express buses	$67	£49.70
Citi Bike annual membership	$239	£177
Citi Bike single ride (classic bike, 30 minutes)	$4.99	£3.70

Sources: MTA fares and OMNY pages, and Citi Bike pricing, checked 7 November 2026 [5][6][7].

The subway, buses and OMNY

You pay with OMNY, the MTA's tap-to-pay system, much like contactless on the Tube. Tap a contactless debit or credit card, your phone or a watch at the reader, or buy an OMNY card [6].

The fare cap works over seven days rather than a calendar week: your first tap starts the clock, and once you've spent $35 on subway and local bus rides in that window, the rest are free. Use the same card or device every time, or the cap won't add up [6]. A UK card works in principle, but your bank may charge a foreign transaction fee on every tap, so switch to a US card once you have one (see our guide to banking in the US).

Seniors and people with qualifying disabilities pay half fare, and there's a lower cap for them too [5][6]. Children's fares and free travel for small children are on the MTA site.

Trains out of the city

LIRR and Metro-North run commuter trains to Long Island, Westchester and Connecticut. Fares depend on the station and the time of day [5].
PATH and NJ Transit connect Manhattan with Jersey City, Hoboken and Newark. If you live in New Jersey, these are your Tube.
Amtrak runs from Penn Station to Boston, Philadelphia and Washington, DC.

Citi Bike, taxis and ride-hailing

Citi Bike, the city's bike share, has thousands of docks. Annual members pay $239 a year (about £177), and e-bikes cost $0.27 a minute for members or $0.41 for single riders (about 20p or 30p) [7]. Bike lanes are growing, but wear a helmet and watch for delivery e-bikes.

Yellow cabs still cruise Manhattan, green cabs serve the outer boroughs, and the ride-hailing apps work as they do in London. A tip of around 15–20% is expected in a cab, a habit that takes some getting used to.

Our community group for Brits in the US is a good place to ask about commuting from New Jersey or the suburbs, and whether a car is worth it where you're thinking of living.

Driving in New York on a UK licence, and getting around without a car