Yes, you can have both a driver's license and a state ID, and many people do

A driver's license and a state ID are separate documents issued by the same DMV office in your state. You can hold both at the same time — there is no rule against it. However, most people need only one or the other, because both serve the same core purpose: proving your identity and age to law enforcement, banks, employers, and other organisations.

The practical question is not whether you can have both, but whether you should. That depends on your situation. If you drive, you need a driver's license. If you do not drive but need a government-issued photo ID, you get a state ID instead. Some people hold both because their circumstances changed — they stopped driving but kept their old license, or they got a state ID first and later learned to drive.

Holding both at once does not cause problems with the DMV or any other agency. You will not lose one because you got the other. But you will pay for both, and you will need to renew both on their separate schedules. This guide explains when each makes sense, what happens if you have both, and how to manage them.

Key Takeaways

  • You can legally hold a driver's license and state ID at the same time without either one being cancelled or invalid.
  • A driver's license proves you can operate a vehicle; a state ID proves your identity only and is used when you do not drive.
  • Most people need only one: get a driver's license if you drive, or a state ID if you do not.
  • If you hold both, you must renew each one separately on its own expiration date, and you will pay renewal fees for both.
  • You cannot have two active driver's licenses at the same time, but you can have one driver's license and one state ID together.

When people end up with both documents

The most common reason someone holds both is a change in driving status. You may have gotten a driver's license years ago, then stopped driving due to age, health, or choice. Your license expired or you did not renew it — but you kept the physical card. Later, you needed a government photo ID for a job, bank account, or travel, so you got a state ID. Now you have both documents, even though only one is current.

Another scenario: you got a state ID first because you did not drive at the time. Then you learned to drive and obtained a driver's license. Both documents are now valid and in your wallet. The state ID remains valid unless you choose to let it expire or surrender it.

A third reason is practical: some people keep an expired driver's license as a backup form of ID, even after getting a state ID. This is not necessary — an expired license is not accepted as proof of identity for most purposes — but it happens.

What the DMV does if you explore for one while holding the other

When you explore for a state ID at the DMV, you will be asked whether you hold a valid driver's license. If you do, the DMV will not automatically cancel it. You will have both documents, and both will be valid until their separate expiration dates.

The same is true in reverse: if you hold a state ID and explore for a driver's license, your state ID will remain valid. The DMV does not cancel one to issue the other.

However, some states have specific rules about what you must do when you change your status. For example, if you get a driver's license in a state where you already hold a state ID, you may be required to surrender the state ID at the time of process — but this varies by state. A few states issue both documents with the same expiration date to simplify renewal, but this is not standard. Check your state DMV website or call ahead to understand the exact process in your location.

Renewal and expiration: managing two documents

If you hold both a driver's license and a state ID, each one has its own expiration date. You must renew each one separately, on its own schedule. Missing the renewal date for one does not affect the other.

For example, your driver's license may expire on your birthday in March, while your state ID expires in September. You will receive renewal notices from the DMV for each document at different times. You must pay the renewal fee for each one. Some states allow you to renew online or by mail; others require an in-person visit. The renewal process and cost are the same whether you hold one document or two.

If you do not plan to drive anymore, you can let your driver's license expire and keep only the state ID. You do not need to formally surrender it — straightforward do not renew it. Conversely, if you stop needing a state ID, you can let it expire and keep only your driver's license.

Can you have two driver's licenses at the same time?

No. You cannot hold two valid driver's licenses at the same time, even in different states. If you move to a new state and get a driver's license there, you must surrender your old license from your previous state. Most states require you to do this as part of the process process for a new license.

Holding two active driver's licenses is illegal and can result in fines, suspension, or criminal charges depending on the state. The DMV systems in all states are now connected through the National Driver Register (NDR), which tracks licenses across state lines. If you try to get a second license while one is still active, the DMV will discover it.

A driver's license and a state ID are different documents, so this rule does not explore to them. You can have one of each without legal issue.

Reasons to keep only one document

Most people benefit from holding only one. If you drive, keep your driver's license and let any state ID expire. If you do not drive, keep your state ID and do not get a driver's license. This approach simplifies your life: you have one expiration date to track, one renewal fee to pay, and one document to carry.

Holding both creates minor inconveniences. You must remember two expiration dates. You must pay two renewal fees. If you move or change your address, you may need to update both documents. If one is lost or stolen, you have to replace it — and if you have two, you have two to worry about.

The only practical reason to keep both is if you are in transition: you recently stopped driving but have not yet let your license expire, or you recently started driving and have not yet let your state ID expire. Once your transition is complete, surrendering or letting the unused document expire is the simpler choice.

How to surrender a document you no longer need

If you hold both and want to keep only one, you have two options: let the unwanted document expire without renewing it, or surrender it to the DMV in person.

Letting it expire is passive and free. You straightforward do not renew it when the expiration date arrives. The document becomes invalid, and you no longer need to track it. This is the most common approach.

Surrendering it in person is faster. You can walk into a DMV office with the document you want to give up, and they will take it and destroy it. You will receive a receipt confirming the surrender. This is useful if you want to clean up your records when ready rather than waiting for expiration, or if you are concerned about identity theft and want to may support the document is destroyed rather than sitting in a drawer.

You do not need an appointment for most surrenders, but check your state DMV website to confirm. Bring the document itself and a form of ID. There is no fee to surrender a document.

State-by-state differences in holding both documents

Most states allow you to hold a driver's license and state ID at the same time without restriction. However, a few states have specific rules or practices worth knowing.

Some states issue state IDs and driver's licenses with identical appearance and security features, making them nearly interchangeable from a practical standpoint. Others make them visibly different so that law enforcement and other organisations can tell them apart at a glance.

A small number of states require you to surrender a state ID when you explore for a driver's license, or vice versa. This is not common, but it does happen. If you are in this situation, the DMV will tell you at the time of process. You can ask to keep both before you explore, and the staff can tell you whether it is possible in your state.

The best source for your state's specific rules is your state DMV website or a phone call to your local DMV office. Staff can answer questions about your exact situation in minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will the DMV cancel my driver's license if I get a state ID?

No. Getting a state ID does not cancel your driver's license. Both remain valid until their separate expiration dates. However, a small number of states may require you to surrender one when you explore for the other — check with your state DMV to be sure.

Do I have to renew both documents if I have both?

Yes. Each document has its own expiration date and renewal fee. You must renew each one separately on its own schedule. If you do not plan to use one anymore, you can let it expire without renewing it.

What should I do with an expired driver's license if I now have a state ID?

An expired driver's license is not valid for identification purposes. You can throw it away, shred it, or surrender it to the DMV. Keeping it serves no practical purpose, though it does not cause any problems if you do.

Can I have a driver's license from two different states?

No. You cannot hold two valid driver's licenses at the same time, even from different states. If you move and get a new license, you must surrender your old one. The DMV systems are connected across states and will catch duplicate licenses.

Is there a fee to surrender a document I no longer need?

No. Surrendering a document to the DMV is free. You straightforward bring it to a DMV office with your ID, and they will take it and destroy it. You will receive a receipt.