Driver License & ID Cards
Non-U.S. Citizens
The Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) is required to verify your legal presence in the United States. The name on your U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) documents will be the name on your Ohio identification (ID) card or driver license.
Permanent Residents
Non-U.S. citizens who present a valid Permanent Resident Card (form I-551), commonly referred to as a green card, will be issued a regular Ohio driver license, which will expire in four years or eight years depending on the applicant's choice and qualification (excludes conditional permanent residents).
- A valid green card
- Social Security card, if assigned
- Proof of Ohio residency
See Acceptable Documents for more information.
Where Do I Go?
- For testing, visit any driver exam station in Ohio.
- For issuance, visit any deputy registrar license agency in Ohio.
Ohio Revised Code: 4507.09
Ohio Administrative Code: 4501:1-1-37
Non-Renewable/Non-Transferable Driver License or ID Card
A non-renewable/non-transferable Ohio driver license or ID card will be issued with the same expiration date as the document issued by USCIS (regardless of federal grace periods extending the expiration date). You may have a choice of a four year or eight year license or ID card depending on the expiration date of your USCIS document.
A non-renewable/non-transferable Ohio driver license allows you to drive in Ohio and other states, but cannot be renewed in Ohio or transferred to another state.
You must present current USCIS documents and proof of Ohio residency at each ID card or license issuance. Common acceptable documents used for proof of legal presence:
- Attending school: valid passport, visa, I-94, DS2019 or I-20 and proof of Social Security number (if ever assigned)
- Employment: valid Employment Authorization Card (Form I-766/EAD) and proof of Social Security number (if ever assigned) OR valid passport, visa, I-94, I-797 with acceptable employment case type, and proof of Social Security number (if ever assigned)
- Refugee: I-94 stamped Refugee
- Asylum: I-94 stamped Asylum
- Conditional Permanent Resident: I-551 (commonly known as a green card that is valid for up to two years) and proof of Social Security number (if ever assigned)
See Acceptable Documents for more information.
Where Do I Go?
- For testing, visit any driver exam station in Ohio.
- For issuance, visit any deputy registrar license agency in Ohio.
Ohio Revised Code: 4507.09
Ohio Administrative Code: 4501:1-1-37
I-94 Asylum Procedure
A citizen from any foreign country can apply for asylum status and an I-94 asylum document.
- An I-94 asylum document serves as the main document for being issued an Ohio driver license, ID card or Temporary Instruction Permit Identification Card (TIPIC).
- Applicants using an I-94 asylum document may need to wait up to 15 days while the BMV verifies the document.
See Acceptable Documents for more information.
Where Do I Go?
- Visit any deputy registrar license agency in Ohio.
USCIS – SAVE Verification
Ohio and federal law require each state to verify an individual's immigration status through the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services SAVE verification system. Before issuing or renewing an Ohio temporary instruction permit identification card (TIPIC), driver license (DL) or identification card (ID), your immigration status will need to be verified by the federal Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) System.
If you have applied for an Ohio TIPIC, DL, or ID and your application is pending further verification by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) SAVE verification system, the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles is unable to finalize the issuance without verification from USCIS. If USCIS verifies your lawful status, no further action is required and your TIPIC, DL or ID card will be issued and mailed to the address you provided during the application process. If USCIS does not verify your lawful status, no TIPIC, DL, or ID card will be issued to you, and you will be mailed a denial letter with further information.
To check your verification status, you may visit www.uscis.gov/save/casecheck.
NOTE: You may or may not have valid Ohio driving privileges at this time. Please check your driving status before lawfully operating a motor vehicle. You can check your driving privilege status by accessing your BMV Driving Record through BMV Online Services or through Chat.
Ohio Revised Code: 4507.09
Ohio Administrative Code: 4501:1-1-37