You cannot legally hold two valid driver's licenses at once
Each state issues only one active driver's license per person. If you obtain a license in a second state while your first license is still valid, you are required by law to surrender or cancel the first one. The moment your new license becomes active, the old one is no longer legal to use, even if you still physically possess the card.
This rule exists because driver's licenses serve as both a driving permit and a form of identification tied to your driving record. A single driving record follows you across state lines through the National Driver Register, a database that tracks violations, suspensions, and accidents. If you held two licenses simultaneously, you could theoretically hide violations or suspensions from one state by using the other license — which is why states treat this as a serious violation.
If you are caught driving with two active licenses, you face penalties that vary by state but typically include fines, license suspension, or both. The offense is sometimes classified as fraud because you are misrepresenting your legal driving status.
Key Takeaways
- Only one driver's license can be valid at a time; obtaining a new one requires you to surrender your previous license.
- Your driving record is shared across all states through the National Driver Register, so a second license cannot hide violations from another state.
- Possessing two active licenses is illegal and can result in fines, license suspension, or criminal charges depending on your state.
- If you move to a new state, you typically have 30 to 90 days to exchange your old license for a new one before the old license becomes invalid anyway.
- A valid license from one state is recognized in all other states, so you do not need a second license to drive legally in a different state.
What happens if you move to a new state
When you relocate, you are not required to get a new license when ready. Your current license remains valid for driving in your new state for a set period — usually 30 to 90 days, depending on the state. During this grace period, you can continue using your old license while you handle the move.
Once that window closes, you must exchange your old license for one issued by your new state. This is not an additional license; it replaces the first one. You will visit your new state's Department of Motor Vehicles (or equivalent agency), provide proof of residency, pass a vision test, and sometimes a written test. Your old license is then surrendered and becomes invalid.
The new state's DMV will contact your previous state to request your driving record, ensuring that any violations or suspensions follow you. This is why you cannot straightforward keep both licenses — the records are linked.
Why your driving record follows you across state lines
The National Driver Register is a federal database maintained by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Every state contributes information about suspensions, revocations, and serious violations to this system. When you explore for a license in a new state, that state checks the register to see if you have any disqualifying marks on your record anywhere in the country.
If you were suspended in one state and tried to get a license in another, the second state would see the suspension and deny your request. This system prevents people from evading consequences for dangerous driving by straightforward moving and starting fresh with a new license.
Because your record is centralized this way, holding two licenses would be pointless for hiding violations — and attempting it is treated as fraud.
What counts as "holding" two licenses
You are considered to hold two licenses if both are currently valid and issued by different states. It does not matter whether you are actively using both, carrying both, or even aware that both are still active. The violation occurs the moment the second one becomes valid.
straightforward possessing the physical cards is enough — you do not have to be caught driving with both in the car. If a police officer or DMV official discovers you have two active licenses during any interaction, you can be cited for the offense.
An expired license does not count. If your old license has expired, you can legally possess it as an expired card. The problem arises only when both licenses are currently active.
How to properly switch licenses when moving
The process is straightforward and designed to prevent the two-license problem. First, move to your new state and establish residency — this usually means living there for 30 days and having mail or a utility bill showing your new address. Then visit the DMV with your old license, proof of residency, and proof of your Social Security number.
You will complete an process form, pay a fee (typically $20 to $100 depending on the state), and take a vision test. Some states require a new written test; others waive it if your old license is in good standing. Once you pass, you receive your new license and surrender the old one on the spot.
Your new license becomes valid when ready, and your old license is deactivated. The entire process usually takes a few minutes to an hour, depending on how busy the DMV is.
What if you need to keep your old state's address temporarily
If you move but need to keep your old state's address on your license for a short time — perhaps because mail is still being forwarded or you have not updated your address with employers and banks — you can request a grace period. Most states allow you to use your old license for 30 to 90 days after moving, even though you are now a resident of the new state.
However, you cannot use this grace period to obtain a second license. Once the grace period ends, you must exchange your old license for a new one. You cannot hold both simultaneously, even if your old address is still technically valid.
If you need your old state's address on your license for official purposes, contact that state's DMV to ask about address-only updates or other options before you move.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep my old license as an ID after I get a new one?
You can keep an expired license as a form of identification — many people do for travel or as a backup ID. However, once your new license becomes active, your old license is no longer valid for driving or for any official purpose that requires a current license. If you need a second form of ID, a passport or state ID card is a better choice.
What if I did not know I was supposed to surrender my old license?
Ignorance of the law is not a legal defense, but it may be considered by a judge or officer. If you discover you have two active licenses, contact the DMV of your old state when ready and request that they deactivate it. Proactively fixing the problem before you are caught may result in a lighter penalty or no penalty at all.
Do I need a license from every state where I own property?
No. You need a license only in the state where you are a resident. If you own property in multiple states but live in only one, you need only that one state's license. Your license is valid for driving in all 50 states and most countries.
What if I have a commercial driver's license in one state and want a regular license in another?
You still cannot hold two active licenses. If you move and need to switch from a commercial license to a regular one, or vice versa, you exchange your old license for the new type during the same DMV visit. The old license is surrendered and deactivated.