Driver's license definition

What Is a Driver’s License?

A driver's license is an official document which is often plastic and the size of a credit card. The document allows an individual to legally operate one or more types of motorized vehicle (i.e., motorcycle, car, truck, bus) on a public road.

Holders of a driver’s license can also use the card as a primary method of identification.

In US law, driver’s licenses have the legal definition 49 USC § 31301(6).

Who Issues Driver’s Licenses?

Driver's licenses are issued in the US by each state, territory, and the District of Columbia, typically from their Department or Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV). The federal government does not issue driver’s licenses. Drivers are usually required to get a license from their state of residence.

All states recognize each other’s licenses for non-resident age requirements. It is possible for a state to suspend a person’s driving privilege within its borders for traffic violations. Many states share a common license class system, with a few exceptions.

How to Get a Driver's License

Since driver's licenses are issued by each state, application rules vary. Normally, you must pass a written, driving, and vision test to obtain your driver's license.

You will have to prove your identity by presenting a valid birth certificate, state-issued I.D. card, or passport. Your ID must show that you are the legal driving age in the state where you are applying.

Eligible driving age by state