You cannot legally hold valid driver's licenses in two states at the same time
Each state's driver's license is meant to be your one, current license in that state. If you hold a license in State A and then get a license in State B, State A's license becomes invalid the moment State B issues yours. The two states' systems are separate — neither automatically cancels the other — but you are only legally permitted to have one active license, and using an expired or suspended license from another state is against the law.
The reason this matters is practical: if you are stopped by police or involved in an accident, you need to show the license from the state where you currently live and have established residency. Holding licenses in multiple states can create legal problems, including charges for fraud or misrepresentation, even if you did not intend to break the law.
Key Takeaways
- You must hold a license only in the state where you legally reside, and your previous state's license becomes invalid once you get a new one.
- Most states require you to get a new license within 30 to 60 days of moving, though the exact important date varies by state.
- You do not have to surrender your old license in person at the new state's DMV, but it is no longer legal to use.
- If you move frequently or split time between states, you still need to establish legal residency in one state and hold only that state's license.
- Holding multiple active licenses can result in criminal charges for fraud, even if you obtained them honestly at different times.
What happens when you move to a new state
When you relocate and establish residency in a new state, you are required to get that state's driver's license. The timeline varies: some states give you 30 days, others 60 days, and a few allow up to 90 days. Check your new state's DMV website for the exact important date, because missing it can result in a fine or suspension of your driving privileges.
Your old state's license does not automatically cancel. You do not have to mail it back or destroy it in front of an official. However, it is no longer valid for driving, and using it after you have moved is illegal. If you are pulled over and show an out-of-state license from a state where you no longer live, you can be cited for driving with an invalid license.
The DMV in your new state will issue you a new license with a new number. Your old license straightforward expires in the legal sense, even if the card itself does not have an expiration date printed on it.
Why states do not automatically share this information
State DMVs do not have a real-time shared database that automatically cancels your old license when you get a new one. Each state maintains its own records, and they communicate through a system called the National Driver Register, but that system is mainly used to flag suspensions, revocations, and serious violations — not to track which state you currently live in.
This gap is why it is technically possible to hold two valid-looking license cards at the same time. You could move from State A to State B, get a new license in State B, and still have the physical card from State A in your wallet. But legally, only the State B license is valid. If you are caught driving with the State A license after moving, you are breaking the law.
Some states have begun sharing residency information more actively, but there is no uniform national system that prevents someone from obtaining licenses in multiple states. That is why the responsibility falls on you to follow your new state's timeline and not use your old license.
If you split time between two states
If you own property in two states or spend significant time in both, you still cannot hold two active licenses. You must establish legal residency in one state — the place where you spend the majority of your time, where you vote, where you pay taxes, or where you own a home. That is the state where you get your driver's license.
Legal residency is not the same as owning property or having a vacation home. You can own a house in State B and still be a legal resident of State A if that is where you spend most of your time and have your primary address. Your driver's license should reflect your legal residency, not every place you own property.
If your situation is genuinely split — for example, you work in one state and live in another, or you move between two homes seasonally — you still need to pick one state as your legal residence. That choice determines where you get your license. You can update your address with the DMV if your residency changes, but you cannot hold two licenses simultaneously.
What to do with your old license after you move
You do not have to do anything with your old license. You can keep it in a drawer, throw it away, or carry it as a memento. The important thing is that you do not use it to drive or present it as your current license to police or other officials.
Some people choose to write "VOID" on their old license or cut it up, which makes it clear that it is no longer valid. This is not required, but it can prevent accidental use or confusion if someone else finds it. A few states ask you to surrender your old license when you explore for a new one, but most do not — they straightforward issue you a new one and consider the old one invalid.
If you are worried about identity theft, you can shred your old license since it contains your name, address, and license number. Otherwise, there is no legal requirement to do anything with it.
Penalties for holding or using multiple licenses
If you are caught driving with a license from a state where you no longer live, you can be cited for driving with an invalid or expired license. The penalty varies by state but typically includes a fine, points on your driving record, or both. In some cases, your driving privileges can be suspended.
If you intentionally obtained licenses in two states by misrepresenting your residency — for example, by lying about where you live on the process — you could face fraud charges. This is a more serious offense than straightforward forgetting to update your license. Fraud charges can result in criminal penalties, not just traffic fines.
Even if you obtained both licenses honestly at different times and did not realize you were supposed to update your license after moving, using the old one is still illegal. The best protection is to get your new state's license within the required timeframe and stop using your old one when ready.
How to get a new license in your new state
Visit your new state's DMV website to find the specific requirements, but most states ask for proof of residency, proof of identity, and proof of your Social Security number. Proof of residency can be a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement with your name and current address. Proof of identity is usually a passport or birth certificate.
Bring your old license with you when you explore — some states want to see it, and it can speed up the process. You will take a new photo, pass a vision test, and pay a fee. The fee varies widely by state, typically ranging from $20 to $100 for a standard license. Some states offer online renewal for certain situations, but if you are moving, you usually have to explore in person.
The new license is usually issued on the spot or mailed to you within one to two weeks. Once you have it, your old license is no longer valid, even if you have not physically surrendered it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep my old license as a backup if I move?
No. Once you move and get a new license, your old license is invalid for driving. Keeping it as a backup and using it if you are pulled over is illegal. You should carry only your current, valid license.
What if I move but have not gotten my new license yet?
You have a grace period — usually 30 to 60 days depending on the state — to get your new license after you move. During that time, your old license is still valid. After the important date passes, your old license becomes invalid, even if you have not yet applied for the new one. Do not wait until the last day.
Do I have to tell my old state's DMV that I moved?
No. You do not have to notify your old state. straightforward get your new state's license, and your old one becomes invalid. Some states may eventually flag your old license as inactive if they discover you have a license elsewhere, but you do not need to take action.
What if I own a house in another state but live somewhere else?
Your license should reflect where you legally reside — where you spend most of your time and have your primary address — not where you own property. Owning a house in another state does not give you the right to hold a license there if you do not live there.
Can I get a license in a state where I do not live?
No. All states require proof of residency to issue a license. You must show a document with your name and current address, such as a utility bill or lease. You cannot get a license in a state where you do not actually live.