You cannot hold two valid drivers licenses at the same time in the United States

Every state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) maintains a single drivers license record per person. If you explore for a license in a new state while holding one in another, the new state's DMV will discover your existing license through the National Driver Register — a database all states share. You will be required to surrender your old license or formally cancel it before the new one becomes valid.

The only exception is a brief overlap during the renewal or replacement process. If your license is expiring and you renew it before the old one lapses, you may briefly hold both the old and new license in your hands. However, only one is legally valid to drive with at any given moment — the newer one. Once you receive the replacement, the old one is no longer active, even if it has not yet expired on paper.

Attempting to hold two active licenses is a criminal offense in most states and can result in fines, license suspension, or both. It is treated as fraud because a second license obtained while one is already active means you either lied on the process or failed to disclose an existing license.

Key Takeaways

  • All states share driver information through the National Driver Register, so getting a second license while the first is active will be caught.
  • You must surrender or formally cancel your old license before a new state will issue you a valid license.
  • A brief overlap during renewal is normal and legal, but only the newer license is valid for driving.
  • Holding two active licenses is considered fraud and can lead to criminal charges, fines, and license suspension.
  • If you move to a new state, you have a grace period (usually 30 to 60 days) to exchange your old license for a new one.

What happens when you move to a new state

When you relocate, you are required by law to get a license from your new state within a set timeframe — typically 30 to 60 days, though this varies by state. During this grace period, your old license remains valid for driving. You do not need to rush to the DMV on day one.

Once you explore for the new license, the DMV will check the National Driver Register and see your existing license. At that point, you will be asked to surrender the old one or sign a form canceling it. Some states allow you to mail in your old license; others require you to bring it in person. Until you complete this step, your new license will not be issued.

If you are moving temporarily — for a job, school, or family reasons — and plan to return to your original state, you may not need to change your license at all. Most states allow you to keep your license even if you move away, as long as you do not establish residency in the new state. However, if you do establish residency (by getting a lease, registering to vote, or opening a bank account), you are legally required to get a new license.

Why states share license information

The National Driver Register exists to prevent people from holding multiple licenses and to catch suspended or revoked licenses. When someone is convicted of a serious driving offense in one state, that suspension or revocation follows them across state lines. A person cannot straightforward move to a new state and get a clean license to avoid a suspension.

This system also protects against identity fraud and helps law enforcement track individuals. If someone is wanted in one state, their driver information is available to police in all states. The shared database makes it nearly impossible to obtain a second license without detection, which is why attempting to do so is treated as a serious offense.

What to do if you accidentally received two licenses

If you somehow ended up with two valid licenses in your possession — for example, if a renewal was processed before your old license was properly canceled — contact the DMV when ready. Explain the situation and ask which license is the valid one. The DMV will cancel the older license and confirm that only the newer one should be used for driving.

Keep documentation of this conversation in case you are ever stopped by police and the officer questions why your records show two licenses. Having proof that you reported the error shows good faith and protects you from being accused of fraud.

Licenses from different countries

If you hold a valid drivers license from another country and move to the United States, you can drive with that license for a limited time — usually 30 to 90 days, depending on the state. During that period, you must obtain a U.S. drivers license. Once you get your U.S. license, your foreign license is no longer valid for driving in the United States, though you may keep it as identification.

Some states offer a written test waiver or reduced testing for people with valid foreign licenses, but you still must go through the full licensing process and cannot hold both licenses as active driving credentials simultaneously.

Commercial drivers licenses and regular licenses

You can hold both a regular drivers license and a Commercial Drivers License (CDL) from the same state at the same time. In fact, if you obtain a CDL, your regular license is typically upgraded or replaced by the CDL, which allows you to drive both commercial and non-commercial vehicles. You do not hold two separate cards — the CDL replaces the regular license.

However, you cannot hold a CDL from one state and a regular license from another state. The same rule applies: only one active license per person across all states. If you move and need a CDL in your new state, you must surrender your old CDL and obtain a new one from the new state's DMV.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I keep my old license as an ID after I move to a new state?

Yes. Once your new license is issued and your old one is canceled, you can keep the old license as a form of identification for non-driving purposes. It is no longer valid for driving, but you can use it as a secondary ID for things like opening a bank account or boarding a plane if needed.

What if I am stationed overseas with the military?

Military personnel stationed abroad can maintain their U.S. drivers license without renewing it for the duration of their assignment, as long as they do not establish residency in another country. When you return to the United States, you may need to renew your license depending on its expiration date, but you do not need to obtain a second license while stationed overseas.

Can I hold a license in my home state and get a temporary license in another state?

No. There is no such thing as a temporary drivers license that coexists with another state's license. Some states offer temporary licenses during the process process, but these are only valid until your permanent license arrives. You cannot hold a permanent license from one state and any form of active license from another.

What happens if I forget to cancel my old license before moving?

Contact the DMV in your old state and ask them to cancel it. You can usually do this by phone or mail. Explain that you have obtained a license in your new state and need the old one deactivated. This protects you from any potential fraud issues and clears your record.

Do I need to take the written test again if I move to a new state?

Most states waive the written test if you have a valid license from another state, though some require it. A few states also waive the road test. Contact the DMV in your new state before you go in to find out what tests you will need to take. Even if tests are waived, you will still need to provide your old license, proof of residency, and other documents.