Driver’s license

A driver’s license is an official document giving an individual to operate a motor vehicle in the U.S. There are different classes of licenses available, which allow the holder to operate different types of vehicles (ie. motorcycles, buses, standard vehicles, etc.).

Driver’s licenses are issued at the state level, by every state in America, typically through the Department or Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV). You are required to get a license through the state you reside in, however, every state’s licenses are valid in all 50 states.

Although the application process varies by state, applicants must typically pass a written exam, a driving test, and a vision test to get a driver’s license. Applicants also have to present a certified copy of their birth certificate, a state-issued I.D. card, or a passport to prove their identity, as well as proof of their Social Security number and residence.

Previous Term   Next Term

Related Terms

• Expatriate
• Social Security number
• Criminal records
• Divorce records
• Short form Birth Certificate