Driver's licenses in the United States

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North Carolina driver's license (censored for security), showing some of the security features which relate to the Wright Brothers. Note: the holograms are not visible due to the way in which the document was scanned. New NC driver's licenses contain RFID, a bump that can be felt, under the North American Logo visible on the back of the license.

In the United States, the issuance of licenses is the authority of individual states including Washington, D.C. and all US territories, and under federal law, a license is valid and must be accepted for use throughout the country. US licenses are also accepted in Canada and many other nations due to various international treaties and agreements. Many states share a common system of license classes, with some exceptions, and commercial license classes are standardized by the federal law of 49 CFR part 383.

Standard Licenses

• Passenger Car: Covers most passenger vehicles, including cars, sport utility vehicles, pickup trucks, vans, and all except for the largest recreational vehicles but does not include motorcycles. Different jurisdictions have different designations for this license type, a majority of states call it Class C (Non Commercial) or Class D, but Florida calls it Class E, in Mississippi it's known as Class R, in Rhode Island Class 10 and in Hawaii it's Class 4.
• Graduated License: Are functionally the same as a passenger license, but are typically issued to new drivers under the age of 18, and start off restricted in effect the first nine months; these restrictions can be extended until the licese holder reaches age 18. After a probationary period, or once the driver becomes an adult, this converts to a full license. Example restrictions include:
  • The driver can drive alone, but is limited to only two passengers other than immediate family or a qualified adult
  • No driving between midnight to 5 a.m., unless traveling between home and school or work

The restrictions above can be extended if the driver gets a traffic ticket, the probationary license can be suspended or revoked or if the license holder violates the above restrictions.

• Chauffeur: Functionally the same as a passenger car license, but also allows the holder to drive a taxi, limo, or other livery vehicle for hire. Livery licensing in the United States is somewhat complicated. Chauffeur licenses are not considered Commercial Driver's Licenses, and (assuming the driver already holds a regular passenger license), a road test is not required to convert it to a chauffeur license, however some states do require a short written exam on taxi specific driving laws and/ or a background check. States that issue this type of license typically call it Class E, however, many states do not. Some simply add an endorsement to a regular license, while others require no special permission at the state level to drive a taxi or limo. Regardless of if and how the state handles chauffeur licensing, a permit or license must always be obtained from the city, town, or county the driver will be operating in.

• Motorcycle: Covers motorcycles only, frequently combined with a regular passenger license. This does not include any motorcycle 50 cc and under, these are legally considered motorized bicycles or mopeds, and do not require a special motorcycle license, or in some states do not require a license at all. Unlike in Europe, the United States does not differentiate between low and full powered motorcycles for the purposes of licensing.

Some states also have additional classifications. Hawaii, for example has a separate license category for drivers who only operate mopeds, some more northernly states have separate categories for Snowmobiles and ATVs. South Carolina and Georgia have non-commercial versions of every commercial class license for agriculture purposes.

Commercial Driver's Licenses (CDL)

Class A: Combination vehicle of 26,000 lb (11,790 kg) or more

Class B: Single (straight) vehicle of 26,000 lb (11,790 kg) or more (also includes most buses)

Class C: Commercial vehicle that doesn't fit classes A or B, but is placarded for hazardous materials or is intended to carry 14 passengers or more (excluding Georgia)

Commercial Driver's License Endorsements

Professional drivers are usually required to add endorsements to their CDL in order to drive certain types of vehicles that require additional training, such as those equipped with air brakes. CDL endorsements are also common among all states, and the training and testing requirements are regulated by the Federal Government. Endorsements are as follows:

P: Passenger Transport (Required to drive a bus that carries 14 people or more)

H: Hazardous Materials (Also requires a TSA criminal background check as well as a written exam. You must be a US Citizen to obtain an H or X endorsement.)

N: Tank Vehicles, Required for carrying liquids in bulk

T: Double/ Triple Trailers (Road trains) (Class A licenses only)

X: Hazardous Materials and Tank Combination

L: Air Brakes

S: School Bus (In addition to a standard bus endorsement (P), additional TSA and CORI background checks are required.)

Graduated Licensing Laws

License age by state.
Click on image for key.

In most states, the minimum age to apply for a driver's license is 16, but is as young as 14 1/2 in South Dakota and as high as 17 in New Jersey. In all except for a few states, a graduated licensing law applies to newly licensed teenage drivers, going by names such as "Provisional Driver", "Junior Operator", "Probationary Driver" or "Intermediate License." These licenses restrict certain driving privileges, normally whether the new driver may carry passengers and if so how many, as well as setting a curfew for young drivers to be off the roads (usually around midnight, but as early as 9pm in New York). Unlike some states of Australia, however, lowered speed limits and a prohibition on highway driving for new drivers are not a part of graduated licensing laws. Additionally, graduated licensing mandates tougher penalties for speeding, DUI, and certain other offenses. The restrictions typically last for the first couple of months the new driver is licensed or until he or she turns 18 (21 in Washington DC).

Graduated licensing laws by state.
Click on image for key.

GDLs are subject to the same 50 state reciproicity that unrestricted licenses are (with the exception of 14-15 year old drivers operating in states that do not license individuals under 16.) Graduated license holders must always adhere to the restrictions of their home state regardless of where they are driving. Additionally, depending on local laws, underage drivers may also be subject to the GDL laws of the state they are driving in as well (although this is not always the case.)

In addition to the above restrictions, drivers under 18 are usually required to attend a comprehensive Drivers Education program either at their high school or a professional driving school and take a certain number of behind the wheel lessons with a certified driving instructor before applying for a license. Some states like New York also require new adult drivers to attend some form of driver's education before applying for a license.

Drivers who are 18 or older when they first apply for a license are not subject to the graduated licensing laws. This is in stark contrast to other some other countries where all new drivers are subject to a restriction.

Per Federal Law, the minimum age for a to operate a commercial motor vehicle across state lines is 21. For School Bus drivers this can be as high as 25. Some individual states issue restricted Commercial Driver's License (valid in the state of issuance only) to professional drivers as young as 18. These restricted CDL's are not typically valid for driving multiple tractor trailers, hazardous materials or school buses.

Licensing Laws by State

State	Learner's Permit	Restricted License	Full License	Notes
Alabama	15 years	-	16 years	Full license upon having permit for six months.
Alaska	14 years	16 years	18 years	No passengers under 21 for the first 6 months, no driving between 1am and 5am.
Arizona	15 years, 7 months	16 years	18 years	Drivers aged 16 and 17 receive a Class G (Graduated) License. Carries no driving restrictions, but does mean enhanced penalties for most moving violations.
Arkansas	14 years	16 years	16 1/2 years	Driver must be supervised at all times until he or she has been licensed for six months.
California	15 years, 6 months	16 years	18 years (17 years if held license 12 months prior)	Permit upon completion of driver's education registration, and cannot drive with a permit without a parent, guardian or licensed adult age of 25 or older until completion of the first day of drivers training. Restrictions include not being able to drive anyone under the age of 20 and not being able to drive between the hours of 11p.m. to 5a.m. for twelve months after receiving your license.
Colorado	15 years	16 years	17 years	Drivers under 18 may carry one passenger over the age of 18 for the first six months of being licensed, one passenger of any age for the next six months after that. Driving between midnight and 5am is also prohibited until the driver has been licensed for one year or turns 18.
Connecticut	16 years	16 years, 4 months	17 years	No passengers under 20 for six months, no driving between midnight and 5am until the driver turns 18. (Laws change August 1st)
Delaware	16 years	16 years, 6 months	17 years	-
District of Columbia	16 years	16 years, 6 months	21 years	A conditional full license can be obtained at 17, however a driver is still considered a GRAD (probationary) driver for penalty purposes until they turn 21.
Florida	15 years	16 years	18 years	16 years - No 11 pm to 6 am driving unless with 21 year or older licensed driver or driving to and from work. 17 years - No 1 am to 5 am driving unless with 21 year or older licensed driver or driving to and from work.
Georgia	15 years	16 years	16 years	Drivers must take driver's education or they must wait until their 17th birthday to get full license.
Hawaii	15 years, 6 months	16 years	17 years	-
Idaho	14 years, 6 months	15 years	16 years	Those under 17 must complete an accredited driver training program to receive an instruction permit. Those under 16 may only drive during daylight hours, unless supervised by a licensed driver 21 or over. For the first 6 months of license possession, the driver is only able to carry one non-family member in their car.
Illinois	15 years	16 years	18 years	Must complete 50 hours of driving before one can apply for license. The learning age will be changed to 18 in January 2008. Anyone under 18 cannot drive between the hours of 12:00 A.M. and 5:00 A.M. which came into effect January 2007. And can only transport 1 person under 18 for the first 6 months (12 months starting in 2008) or until the driver turns 18 unless immediate transportation such as family.
Indiana	15 years	16 years, 1 month - 16 years 6 months	18 years	16 years, 1 month with driver's education. 16 years, 6 months without.
Iowa	14 years	16 years	17 years - 18 years	Restricted drivers can not drive between 12:30 A.M. and 5:00 A.M. unless there is a parent/guardian, immediate family member over 21, or a designated adult over 25. The driver may drive between these times if they are granted a waiver for travel to and from work or school related activities. The number of passengers is limited to the number of seat belts. Full license at 17 years old if the driver has gone violation and accident free for 12 consecutive months, otherwise they must be 18 years old.
Kansas	14 years	15 years	16 years	Restricted license holders may not carry minor passengers and are only permitted to drive to and from school (not extra-circular activities) or work only, unless accompanied by a licensed driver 18 or older.
Kentucky	16 years	16 1/2 years	17 years	-
Louisiana	15 years	16 years	17 years	Anyone under 17 years of age cannot drive between the hours of 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.
Maine	15 years	16 years, 6 months	17 years	Anyone under 17 years of age cannot drive between the hours of 12 a.m. and 5 a.m., or carry anyone other than immediate family.
Maryland	15 years, 9 months	16 years, 3 months	18 months after receiving license	Anyone under 18 years of age with a provisional license may not carry passengers under 18 for the first 151 days of having the license or drive between midnight and 5am. In Maryland, all new drivers regardless of age hold a provisional license for 18 months, but for adult drivers, the passenger and time restrictions do not apply (however the enhanced penalties do.)
Massachusetts	16 years	16 years, 6 months	18 years	Junior operators (under 18) cannot drive between 12:30am and 5am unless accompanied by their parent. Additionally, junior operators cannot drive with minor passengers (except immediate family members) unless accompanied by a licensed driver over 21 within the first 6 months of obtaining a License.
Michigan	14 years, 9 months	16 years	17 years	To obtain a Level 1 License (Learner's Permit) you are required to complete Segment 1 of a Driver's Education Course. A Level 2 License (Junior License) permits the holder to drive unaccompanied except between the hours of midnight and 5 a.m. unless accompanied by a licensed driver over 21 or driving to or from employment.
Minnesota	15 years	16 years	18 years	-
Mississippi	15 years	15 years, 6 months	16 years	-
Missouri	15 years	16 years	18 years	40 hours of driving instruction are required including 10 hours at night to be eligible for the restricted license. Restrictions include no driving between 1am and 5am unless required for school or work, limitations of 1 passenger under 19 for the first six months after the license is issued and 3 passengers thereafter, and there must be no traffic or alcohol offenses for one year to advance to the full license.
Montana	14 years, 6 months	16 years	18 years (see notes)	Under 18 cannot drive between 11pm and 5am, and may not have more than one passenger under 18 in the vehicle.
Nebraska	14 years, 3 months	15 years	17 years	-
Nevada	15 years, 6 months	16 years	18 years	Underage drivers may not transport passengers under 18 for the first six months of being licensed, and may not drive between 10pm and 5am until they turn 18 (except with a letter from a school official or employer.) Additional restrictions apply in Las Vegas and Reno.
New Hampshire	15 years, 6 months*	16 years	18 years	*No formal learner's permit is required in NH, 15 1/2 year olds may drive so long as they are accompanied by a licensed driver aged 25 or older. Drivers under 18 may not drive between 1am and 5am or drive with more than one non-family member under 18 in the vehicle for the first six months after receiving his or her license.
New Jersey	16 years	17 years	18 years	Under 18 cannot drive between 12:01 a.m. and 5:01 a.m., and cannot drive with more than one, non family member under 18.
New Mexico	14 years, 6 months	15 years, 6 months	16 years, 6 months	During the one year probationary period, drivers may only carry one passenger under the age of 21, and may not drive between midnight and 5am.
New York	16 years	Six months after permit and under 18 years	18 years (17 with Driver's Education)	Restricted license holders cannot drive between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. unless attending a school event (including sporting events, school dances, school concerts etc.), employment or accompanied by license holder over 21. The minimum age to drive in the five boroughs of New York City as well as all of Long Island is 18.
North Carolina	15 years	16 years	16 years, 6 months	Learner's permit must be held for 12 months before obtaining a restricted license; Restricted license for 6 months without any moving violations before obtaining a full license. Certain restrictions still apply to persons under 18, regardless of whether or not they have a full license.
North Dakota	14 years	14 years, 6 months	16 years	Drivers under age 16 may only drive vehicles owned by their parent or guardian, or a vehicle with dual controls.
Ohio	15 years, 6 months	16 years or after 6 months with permit, whichever is later	18 years	Under 17 cannot drive between 12 a.m. and 6 a.m., under 18 cannot drive between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. Drivers under 18 must complete driver's education. Drivers under 17 may only have one non-family member under the age of 21 in the car; no restrictions on family members or those over 21.
Oklahoma	15 years, 6 months (can drive without a learner's permit at 15 with a certified driving instructor)	16 years	16 years, 6 months	Intermediate drivers cannot drive more than a single passenger of any age (family excluded) or drive between 11pm and 5am. A single traffic violation will extend the intermediate phase until the driver turns 18.
Oregon	15 years	16 years	18 years	Minors are prohibited from driving between midnight and 5am, no passengers under 20 for the frist six months of being licensed (except family members.)
Pennsylvania	16 years	16 years, 6 months	18 years	Those with a restricted license may not drive between 11pm and 5am. No passenger restrictions, other than the number of seatbelts may not be less than the number of passengers.
Rhode Island	16 years	16 years, 6 months	17 years, 6 months	No driving between midnight and 5am with a restricted license.
South Carolina	15 years	15 years, 180 days	17 years	- No driving between 6 PM and 6 AM during standard time, and 8 PM and 6 AM during DLST. A 16 year old may apply for a waiver to drive until midnight for transportation to and from work.
South Dakota	14 years	14 years, 3 months - 14 years, 6 months	16 years	14 years, 3 months with driver's education, 14 years, 6 months without.
Tennessee	15 years	-	16 years	-
Texas	15 years	16 years	18 years	Drivers with a restricted license may drive with no more than one other person under the age of 21 and cannot use a cell phone while driving for the first 6 months.
Utah	15 years	16 years	16 years, 6 months	-Drivers with restricted licenses may not drive between 12 AM and 5 AM. No passengers that are not immediate family members; unless they are a licensed driver 21 years or older, or if there are younger passengers in the car with a licensed, 21 year old driver in the front passenger seat.
Vermont	15 years	16 years with drivers education	18 years	No passengers for the first three months, immediate family members only for the second three months (passenger restrictions are waived if accompanied by a parent or another licensed adult aged 25 or older.)
Virginia	15 years, 6 months	-	16 years, 3 months	- Under 18 may not carry more than one minor passenger for the first year of being licensed. All minors subject to a curfew between 12:00-4:00AM
Washington	15 years - 15 years, 6 months	16 years	18 years	15 years with driver's education, 15 years, 6 months without. Under 18 cannot drive between 1:00 AM and 5:00 AM for one year, (no more than 3 passengers the following 6 months after receiving license).
West Virginia	15 years	16 years	18 years	-
Wisconsin	15 years, 6 months	16 years	19 - 21 years	Passenger and nighttime driving restrictions removed after 9 months, or upon reaching the age of 18 whichever is sooner. License holder is subject to enhanced penalties until they have three years of experience, or reach the age of 21, whichever comes sooner.
Wyoming	14 years, 6 months	-	16 years	-

Decline in licensing among young people in the U.S.

In the past decade, fewer and fewer teenagers are getting driver's licenses. According to a December 2, 2004 Los Angeles Times article, only 43% of American 15-, 16-, and 17-year olds had licenses in 2002. By comparison, the percentage in 1982 was 52%. The rate is even lower in some states (e.g., 9% in Missouri). The decrease in percentages are said to be due to the many restrictions that an average teen must face overall in order to obtain the licenses.

For example, in California, newly licensed minors must wait a year before they can drive with other minors in their car, and cannot drive during certain hours of the night due to California's youth curfew. Thus, a minor can only drive with his or her friends in the car for at most one year before the minor becomes an adult.

Use as identification and proof of age

Driver's licenses issued in the United States have a number or alphanumeric code issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles (or equivalent), usually show a photograph of the bearer, as well as a copy of his or her signature, the address of his or her primary residence, the type or class of license, restrictions and/or endorsements (if any), the physical characteristics of the bearer (such as height, weight, hair color, and sometimes even skin color), and birth date. Each driver's license number issued by an authority is unique to that authority, i.e. no two driver's license numbers issued by a state are alike. Social Security numbers are becoming less common on driver's licenses, due to identity theft concerns. In some states the orientation of a provisional driver's license (for those under the age of 21) is vertical while a regular driver's license (for those over the age of 21) is horizontal. Most states require that when a driver establishes residence in a state, he or she must obtain a license issued by that state within a certain time frame.

Because there is no national identity card in the United States, the driver's license is often used as the de facto equivalent for completion of many common business (and governmental) transactions. As a result, driver's licenses are the focus of many kinds of identity theft. Driver's licenses were not always identification cards. Indeed, in many states, driver's licenses did not even have a photograph well into the 1980s. Activism by the Mothers Against Drunk Driving organization for the use of photo ID age verification in conjunction with increasing the drinking age to 21 in order to reduce underage drinking led to photographs being added to all state licenses. New York and Tennessee were the last states to add photos in 1986. However, New Jersey later allowed older drivers to get non-photo licenses; this was later revoked. Vermont license holders have the option of receiving a non photo license. Later additions varied from state to state, and have included fingerprints, bar codes, magnetic strips, social security numbers and tamper-proof features, most of which were added to prevent identity theft and to curb the use of fake IDs. States have now slowly been converting to digitized driver's licenses which incorporate holographs and bar codes to prevent forgery.

Non-driver identification cards

In the case that a person lacks a driver's license, due to medical reasons, a license suspension, or simply being a non-driver or failing a Driving test, a state identification card can be issued by the DMV in its place which typically resembles a license and has the same security and identification features as a license but without extending driving privileges.

Enhanced driver's licenses

Additionally, some states (usually ones with an international border such as Vermont and Washington) are issuing Enhanced Driver's Licenses, and enhanced State ID cards. Enhanced licenses essentially combine a regular driver's license with the same specifications of the new Federal passport card. Thus in addition to proving driving privileges, the enhanced license also is proof of U.S. citizenship, and can therefore be used to cross the US/Canadian and US/Mexican border by road, rail, or sea, but not air (this will always require a traditional passport book due to International Civil Aviation Organization regulations). The enhanced licenses are also fully Real ID compliant.

On March 27, 2008, the Secretary of Homeland Security announced that Washington's enhanced driver's license was the first such license approved under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative; according to a Homeland Security press release, the department is also working with Arizona, New York, and Vermont authorities to develop enhanced driver's licenses. Texas was expected to also implement an enhanced driver's license program, but the program has been blocked by Texas Gov. Rick Perry, despite a state law authorizing the Texas Department of Public Safety to issue EDLs and a ruling by the state attorney general, Greg Abbott, that Texas' production of EDLs would comply with federal requirements.

See also

• Commercial driver's license
• Driver's licence in Canada