Every Oklahoma resident who drives a motor vehicle on any Oklahoma street or highway needs an Oklahoma driver license. If you move here with an out-of-state license, you must apply for an Oklahoma license when you establish residency, and your vehicles must be registered in Oklahoma (this may not apply to military personnel and their spouses).
An Oklahoma license is NOT required for:
- Nonresidents at least 16 who are properly licensed in their home state or country
- Nonresidents on active military duty, and their spouses and children, with valid home-state licenses
- Nonresident students at an Oklahoma college or university, and spouses/children, with valid home licenses
- Anyone operating a farm tractor or implement solely for farm/ranch activities
Know the rule
You must apply for your license in person at a Driver Testing Facility operated by Service Oklahoma.
Handbook p. 4 ↗Know the rule
Your full legal name is used on your license. A name change from marriage, court order or divorce appears exactly as stated on the marriage certificate, court order or divorce decree.
Handbook p. 4 ↗Primary ID: bring an original or certified document such as:
- Certified U.S. birth certificate
- Valid, unexpired U.S. passport
- Valid Oklahoma driver license or ID card originally issued after November 1, 2007
- Naturalization/Citizenship Certificate or Consular Report of Birth Abroad
- Unexpired Permanent Resident Card or unexpired Employment Authorization Card
- Valid, unexpired foreign passport with a valid U.S. visa and valid I-94 issued by DHS
Know the rule
Notarized documents and photocopies are not acceptable as identification.
Handbook p. 4 ↗Know the rule
A replacement for a lost, stolen or mutilated license or ID card requires at least a primary form of ID. Renewing an Oklahoma license or ID card expired more than 1 year also requires a document from the primary ID list.
Handbook p. 4 ↗Proof of a name change can include:
- Unexpired U.S. passport or certified birth certificate
- Certified divorce decree (only if it states you were granted a name change)
- Certified adoption decree, certified name change decree, or certified marriage license
- Common law marriage: a notarized "Affidavit of Common Law Marriage" plus another primary source
Know the rule
Report a legal name change to the Social Security Administration before changing your license or ID card. Titles or ecclesiastical names are not placed on a license or ID card.
Handbook p. 5 ↗Know the rule
Non-citizens must show valid ID and proof of legal presence; U.S. citizens born outside the U.S. (including on military bases) must show proof of citizenship. A receipt for an application for presence is NOT proof of legal presence.
Handbook p. 5 ↗Also bring or provide:
- Valid proof of auto liability insurance if you're taking the driving test
- A doctor's statement, if required, for health or physical conditions that might impair your driving
- Your Social Security Number (it will not appear on your license)
- A driver education completion certificate (without it, additional restrictions may be imposed)
From this date a REAL ID (or valid federal ID such as a U.S. passport) is required for certain federal purposes
Handbook p. 5 ↗A REAL ID license/ID card or valid federal ID (such as a U.S. passport) is required to:
- Board a domestic flight
- Visit military bases or specific federal buildings
- Enter nuclear power plants
Put it into practice
You're 17, just moved from Texas, and hold a valid Texas license. Because you now live in Oklahoma, you must apply for an Oklahoma license. Bring your certified birth certificate or passport (not a photocopy), your Social Security Number, and proof of insurance if you'll take the driving test.