General Information: A driver's license or state ID is considered a major form of identification in
the United States. A United States driver's license is an official government-issued ID
that authorizes the bearer to operate a motor vehicle. In addition, drivers licenses can
also be used as a form of
identification for several other purposes such as cashing checks, opening bank
accounts, traveling within the United States, and as proof of legal age to buy
alcohol and tobacco. A State ID can be used as a form of identification, but may not
to operate a motor vehicle.
Unlike other countries, the United States federal government does not issue
a national driver's license or identification card. Each of the 50 U.S. States issue their own
drivers licenses and state IDs, and they can be used anywhere in the United
States, Canada, and even abroad in certain countries.
Eligibility Requirements: There are generic requirements for obtaining a
U.S. drivers license such as a written test, road test and vision test. However,
each of the 50 U.S. states and U.S. territories has their own requirements
and application procedures. There are also different procedures for first-time
applications, out-of-state transfers and renewals. Certain states allow foreign
licenses to be used as proof of an individual's ability to operate a motor
vehicle, thus not requiring the individual to take the road test again. There
are also different “classes” of licenses depending on what type of vehicle you
wish to drive: cars, motorcycles, trucks or commercial vehicles. You
can also transfer your out-of-state license to your new home state. This process
differs from state to state, but in general you have to take the vision test
and/or the written test excluding the driving test.
Proof of Immigration Status: After 9/11, the federal government has added
extra security measures when obtaining a state identification card, driver
license, and social security card among other legal documents. A new federal
law (called the Real ID Act) was introduced that made it a requirement to show
proof of legal immigration status in the United States to obtain a drivers license
from any state. As of May 2008, driver licenses issued by the states that do not
meet these requirements will not be accepted as legal identification to gain
entry into a federal building or to board an airplane in the United States.
All 50 U.S. states are gradually updating their
requirements and starting to request proof of [legal] immigration status in the
United States. However, in several states this is still not a requirement.
The "United States Drivers License and State ID Application Guide" includes:
- Identification requirements to obtain your first US drivers license
- Requirements to transfer an out-of-country drivers license
- Requirements to transfer an out-of-state drivers license
- Drivers license renewal requirements
- Specific application procedures for all 50 US States
- Information about the written, vision and road tests
- Information regarding proof of legal immigration status
- Lists of primary and secondary forms for identification required
- Explanation of the difference between driver’s licenses and state identification cards
