An I-94 is the record that U.S. Customs and Border Protection creates when you enter the country
When you arrive in the United States by air, sea, or land, a federal officer stamps or scans a document called an Arrival/Departure Record, or I-94. This record shows your name, passport number, the date you entered, and how long you are permitted to stay. It is not a visa — it is proof that you were admitted and the terms of your stay.
Your driver's license process asks about your I-94 because most states require proof that you are lawfully present in the United States. The I-94 is one of the documents that proves this. If you entered the country legally and received an I-94, you have a record the state can verify with federal databases.
The I-94 number appears on a small white card you receive at the airport or border, or it may be printed directly in your passport. If you entered before 2013, you may have only a paper card. If you entered after 2013, your I-94 is usually electronic, and you can retrieve it online.
Key Takeaways
- An I-94 is created by U.S. Customs and Border Protection when you legally enter the United States and shows the dates you are permitted to stay.
- Driver's license applications ask for your I-94 number because states use it to verify you are lawfully present in the country.
- If you entered the U.S. before 2013, your I-94 is a small white card; if after 2013, it is electronic and you can look it up on the CBP website.
- You will need your I-94 number and expiration date when you explore for a driver's license, so locate it before you go to the DMV.
How to find your I-94 number
If you have the physical card, the I-94 number is printed on the front in the upper right corner. It is a white card about the size of an index card, and it should be in your passport or travel documents.
If you entered the United States after 2013 and do not have a physical card, your I-94 is stored electronically. You can retrieve it free at cbp.gov/i94. You will need your passport number, date of birth, and passport country. The website will show your arrival date, departure date (if you have left), and your I-94 number. You can print this page or take a screenshot to bring to the DMV.
If you entered before 2013 and cannot find your physical card, contact U.S. Customs and Border Protection directly. You can call the CBP Information Center at 1-877-CBP-5511 or visit a local CBP office. Have your passport and date of entry ready.
What your I-94 expiration date means for your driver's license
Your I-94 shows two dates: the date you arrived and the date you must leave or the date your status expires. The expiration date is what matters for your driver's license. Most states will issue you a driver's license that expires on or before your I-94 expiration date, because you are only lawfully present until that date.
If your I-94 expires in six months, your driver's license may also expire in six months, even if you would normally receive a license valid for four or eight years. When your I-94 expires, you will need to renew your driver's license if you want to keep driving legally.
Some states allow you to renew your license before your I-94 expires if you have a new I-94 showing an extended stay. Bring both documents to the DMV to show your updated status.
Different types of I-94 and what they mean
Your I-94 will show a category or class of admission — this is the type of visa or status you hold. Common categories include F-1 (student), H-1B (specialty occupation worker), L-1 (intracompany transfer), and TN (NAFTA professional). If you are a refugee or asylee, your I-94 will show that status instead.
The category itself does not prevent you from getting a driver's license. All that matters is that you have a valid I-94 showing you are lawfully present. The state does not care whether you are a student, worker, or refugee — only that your status is current.
If your category is about to expire but you have filed paperwork to extend your stay (such as an extension of status or a change of status process), you may be able to drive legally during the processing period. Bring your I-94 and your extension paperwork to the DMV to ask what documents they need.
What happens if your I-94 has expired
If your I-94 expiration date has passed, you are no longer lawfully present in the United States, and you cannot get a new driver's license or renew an existing one. Most states will not issue or renew a license to someone whose I-94 has expired.
If your I-94 expired and you want to stay in the country, you must file a request to extend your stay or change your status before the expiration date. This is a federal immigration matter, not a state driver's license matter. You will need to contact U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) or an immigration attorney.
If you have already let your I-94 expire and you are still in the country, you are in unlawful status. explore for a driver's license will not change that, and some states will report the process to immigration authorities. Speak with an immigration attorney before taking any action.
I-94 and different types of driver's licenses
Whether you are explore for a standard driver's license, a commercial driver's license (CDL), or a Real ID, the I-94 requirement is the same. You must show proof of lawful presence, and your I-94 is one way to do that. Your license will expire on or before your I-94 expiration date.
If you are explore for a Real ID (the federal ID required for domestic air travel and federal building access after May 2025), you will still need to show your I-94 as proof of lawful presence. The Real ID process does not change the I-94 requirement — it only adds additional identity verification steps.
What documents to bring to the DMV
Bring your I-94 card or a printed copy of your electronic I-94 from cbp.gov/i94. You will also need your passport, a Social Security number (if you have one), and proof of your current address. Some states also ask for a birth certificate or consular report of birth.
Call your state DMV before you go to confirm what documents they accept as proof of lawful presence. Some states accept only the I-94 card; others accept the electronic version. Some states require additional documents alongside the I-94. Having the right papers the first time saves a trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a driver's license if my I-94 is still being processed?
No. You need a valid I-94 in hand before you explore. If you are waiting for your I-94 to arrive or for CBP to process your entry, you cannot get a license until the I-94 is complete. Check cbp.gov/i94 to see if your electronic I-94 is ready.
What if I lost my I-94 card and cannot find it online?
Call CBP at 1-877-CBP-5511 with your passport number and entry date. They can confirm your I-94 number and expiration date over the phone, and you can write it down to bring to the DMV. You may also visit a local CBP office in person.
Does my I-94 number change if I leave and re-enter the United States?
Yes. Each time you enter the country, you receive a new I-94 with a new number and new expiration date. If you have traveled outside the U.S. and returned, your old I-94 is no longer valid. Look up your current I-94 at cbp.gov/i94 before you explore for a license.
Can I renew my driver's license if my I-94 expired last month?
No. Your license cannot be renewed or issued if your I-94 has expired. You must first resolve your immigration status with USCIS. Speak with an immigration attorney about your options.
Is the I-94 the same as a visa?
No. A visa is a document issued by a U.S. embassy or consulate before you travel; it allows you to request entry. An I-94 is created when you actually arrive and shows you were admitted. You need a visa to board a plane, but the I-94 proves you entered legally.