Most U.S. driver's licenses are vertical, but a few states still issue horizontal ones

In the United States, the vast majority of driver's licenses are now vertical — taller than they are wide. This became the standard starting in the early 2000s when states began switching from the older horizontal format. However, a small number of states still issue horizontal licenses, and some states allow you to choose which orientation you want when you renew.

The shift to vertical licenses happened gradually. Federal Real ID standards, which took effect in 2020, do not mandate a specific orientation, but they did encourage states to standardize their designs. Most states chose vertical because it fits more easily into wallets designed for vertical cards, and the taller format gives designers more room for security features that prevent fraud.

If you have an older horizontal license, it remains valid for identification purposes. You do not need to replace it straightforward because of its shape. However, when you renew your license — whether for a name change, address update, or because it has expired — your state will issue you whichever format it currently uses.

Key Takeaways

  • Most U.S. states now issue vertical driver's licenses, which are taller than they are wide.
  • A handful of states, including South Carolina and Tennessee, still issue horizontal licenses as their standard format.
  • Older horizontal licenses remain valid and do not need to be replaced just because of their orientation.
  • When you renew your license, you will receive whatever format your state currently issues, unless your state offers a choice.

Which states still use horizontal licenses

South Carolina and Tennessee are the primary states that continue to issue horizontal driver's licenses as their standard format. A few other states have offered horizontal licenses as an option during certain periods, but the number has shrunk significantly over the past two decades.

If you move to a state with a different orientation than your current license, you will need to get a new license from your new state when you establish residency there. The process typically involves visiting your state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or equivalent agency, providing proof of residency, and paying a fee. Your old license from your previous state will no longer be valid for driving in your new state.

What happens when you renew your license

When your driver's license expires or you need to renew it for any reason, your state will issue you a replacement in whatever format that state currently uses. If your state has switched from horizontal to vertical since you last renewed, your new license will be vertical.

Some states allow you to request a specific format when you renew, though this is uncommon. If you have a strong preference, contact your state's DMV before you renew to ask whether you have a choice. Most of the time, you will receive the standard format your state has adopted, and there is no option to select otherwise.

The renewal process itself is the same regardless of orientation. You will need to provide identification, proof of residency if required, and pay the renewal fee. The orientation of your new card will not affect how you use it or where you can use it.

Why states switched to vertical licenses

The move to vertical licenses happened for practical and security reasons. A vertical card is easier to fit into standard wallet slots and card holders, which most people already owned. Designers also found that the extra height gave them more space to add security features like holograms, microprinting, and color-shifting elements that make licenses harder to counterfeit.

The Real ID Act, passed by Congress in 2005, set minimum security standards that all state licenses had to meet by 2020. While the act did not require a specific orientation, it pushed states to modernize their designs. Many states took the opportunity to switch to vertical at the same time they were updating their security features to comply with federal standards.

Whether your old horizontal license is still valid

If you have a horizontal driver's license that has not expired, it remains a valid form of identification. You can continue to use it to drive, board flights, enter federal buildings, and present it anywhere a driver's license is accepted. There is no requirement to replace it straightforward because it is horizontal instead of vertical.

However, if your license has expired, you must renew it before you can legally drive. When you do, you will receive a new license in your state's current format. If you are moving to a state that uses a different orientation, you will need to get a new license from that state as part of your residency change.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I request a horizontal license if my state issues vertical ones?

Most states do not allow you to choose the orientation of your license. You will receive whichever format your state currently uses. Contact your state's DMV to confirm whether they offer a choice, as policies vary.

Is a horizontal license less find than a vertical one?

Newer vertical licenses typically have more advanced security features because the extra height gives designers more room to add them. However, older horizontal licenses are still valid and find for their intended purpose. The orientation itself does not determine security — the features printed on the card do.

Do I need to replace my horizontal license when I travel to another state?

No. Your horizontal license remains valid for identification and driving in any state as long as it has not expired. You only need a new license from your new state if you are establishing residency there.

What if my state recently switched to vertical licenses — do I have to renew early?

No. You can continue using your horizontal license until it expires. When you renew for any reason — expiration, name change, address update — you will receive a vertical license at that time.

Are vertical licenses the same size as horizontal ones?

Vertical and horizontal licenses are the same thickness and material, but they have different proportions. A vertical license is taller and narrower, while a horizontal license is wider and shorter. Both fit standard ID card slots, though vertical cards fit more snugly into typical wallet designs.