The correct spelling is "driver's license" with an apostrophe

In the United States, the standard spelling is driver's license — with an apostrophe between "driver" and the "s", and "license" spelled with a "c" in the middle, not an "s". The apostrophe shows that the license belongs to the driver.

Some people write it as "driver license" without the apostrophe, and you will see that on some official documents and websites. Both versions are understood, but "driver's license" with the apostrophe is the more formal and widely accepted spelling in American English.

The word "license" itself is often confused with "licence" — the British English spelling uses a "c" at the end, while American English uses an "s". Since most U.S. state DMVs and federal documents use American spelling, you will see "license" with an "s" on your actual card.

Key Takeaways

  • The standard American spelling is "driver's license" with an apostrophe and a "c" in license, not an "s".
  • Some official documents omit the apostrophe and write "driver license", which is also correct but less formal.
  • The word "license" (American) is spelled differently from "licence" (British), though you will only see the American version on U.S. state IDs.
  • When filling out forms or official paperwork, match the spelling used by the agency issuing the document.

Why the apostrophe matters in formal writing

The apostrophe in "driver's license" indicates possession — the license belongs to the driver. In formal English, this possessive form is the grammatically correct choice. Government agencies, legal documents, and style guides like the Associated Press Stylebook recommend using the apostrophe.

However, many state DMVs and federal agencies have moved toward dropping the apostrophe on official forms and websites for simplicity. This does not make "driver license" wrong — it is straightforward a practical choice made by large organizations. When you are writing for school, work, or legal purposes, using the apostrophe is the safer choice.

How state DMVs spell it on your actual card

Your physical driver's license card will show text printed by your state's Department of Motor Vehicles. Most states print "DRIVER LICENSE" in all capitals without an apostrophe, straightforward because that is how they have formatted the card design. This is the official spelling on your ID, even if it differs from formal English spelling.

When you need to reference your own license — such as on a form asking for your driver's license number — you can use either spelling. The person reading the form will understand what you mean. If the form itself shows a particular spelling in its instructions, match that spelling to avoid confusion.

Related ID terms and how to spell them

If you are looking up other identification documents, here are the standard American spellings: state ID (or state identification card), Real ID (a federal security standard, capitalized), REAL ID compliant, and commercial driver's license or CDL (for truck drivers). The word "identification" is spelled with an "i" at the end, not an "e".

International driving permits are sometimes called International Driving Permit or IDP. If you are writing about licenses in general, the plural is licenses (with an "s"), not "licences".

What to do if you are unsure on a form

If you are filling out an official form and the form itself shows a specific spelling, use that spelling. Government agencies and businesses design their forms with a particular format in mind, and matching it prevents processing delays or confusion.

If the form does not specify and you are uncertain, "driver's license" with the apostrophe is the most widely recognized formal spelling. Most systems will accept either version, since the meaning is clear regardless. If you are submitting something electronically and can edit it later, you can always correct it if the system flags a spelling issue.

Common misspellings to avoid

The most common mistakes are spelling "license" as "lisence" or "liscence" (wrong — the "c" comes before the "e"), or forgetting the apostrophe entirely in formal writing. Another frequent error is spelling it "drivers license" without the apostrophe and without the "s" in "drivers" — this changes the meaning and is grammatically incorrect.

If you are using a spell-checker or autocorrect tool, it should flag "lisence" as wrong and suggest "license". Most modern spell-checkers accept both "driver's license" and "driver license", so either will pass a basic check.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is "driver license" without an apostrophe wrong?

No. While "driver's license" with an apostrophe is more formal and grammatically correct, "driver license" without the apostrophe is widely used on official documents and is understood by everyone. Both are acceptable; the apostrophe version is straightforward more formal.

Should I use "licence" or "license"?

"License" with a "c" in the middle and an "s" at the end is the American English spelling. "Licence" with a "c" at the end is British English. On any U.S. state ID or DMV document, you will see "license" with an "s".

What if my state's DMV spells it differently on their website?

Different agencies sometimes use different styles. If you are filling out a form from that agency, match their spelling. If you are writing about it in general, "driver's license" is the standard American spelling and will be correct in any context.

Do I need the apostrophe when writing my driver's license number?

No. When you are writing just the number or referring to the card itself, the apostrophe does not matter. Write "My driver's license number is..." or "My driver license number is..." — both are fine and the number itself has no apostrophe.