No, you cannot legally hold two valid driver's licenses from different states at the same time

If you hold a driver's license from one state and move to another, you must surrender your old license when you get a new one. The Driver License Compact, an agreement between 45 states, tracks all active licenses issued to you. If you try to hold licenses in two states simultaneously, the second state's DMV will discover the first one during their background check and either deny your process or require you to surrender the out-of-state license before issuing a new one.

Some people think they can keep both licenses if they don't tell the new state about the old one. This does not work. When you explore for a license in a new state, that DMV runs your name and date of birth through the Compact system. If an active license shows up elsewhere, you will be caught. Driving with two valid licenses is fraud, and driving with an invalid license after being issued a new one can result in criminal charges.

The only exception is if your old license has already expired. An expired license is not "active," so it does not trigger the Compact system. You can keep an expired license as a form of ID, but it is not a valid driving credential.

Key Takeaways

  • The Driver License Compact connects 45 states and flags any person with more than one active license in the system.
  • When you move to a new state and get a new license, you must surrender your old one; keeping both is illegal.
  • The DMV in your new state will discover an out-of-state license during the background check, even if you do not mention it.
  • An expired license does not count as active and can be kept as identification, but it cannot be used for driving.
  • Driving with two valid licenses or with an invalid license after receiving a new one can result in criminal charges.

Why states require you to surrender your old license

Each state's DMV maintains its own records of suspensions, revocations, violations, and points on your driving record. If you held a license in State A and had your driving privileges suspended there, State A's DMV would have that record. If you then moved to State B and got a second license without surrendering the first, you could theoretically drive legally in State B while your privileges were suspended in State A.

The Driver License Compact was created to prevent exactly this scenario. It ensures that if you are suspended, revoked, or convicted of a serious traffic offense in one state, that information follows you to any other state where you try to hold a license. This protects public safety by preventing dangerous drivers from straightforward moving and starting over with a clean slate.

When you explore for a new license in a new state, the DMV checks the Compact database. If it finds an active license under your name and date of birth, it will ask you to produce that license and surrender it before issuing your new one. Some states allow you to mail in your old license; others require you to do it in person.

What happens if you are caught with two active licenses

If you are pulled over and the officer runs your license, they will see that you have an active license in another state. This when ready signals a problem. The officer may issue a citation for driving with an invalid license, even though you have a valid license in your possession—because you should not have that license anymore.

The consequences vary by state but typically include a fine, points on your driving record, and a requirement to surrender the invalid license when ready. In some cases, especially if the officer suspects you obtained the second license intentionally to hide a suspension or revocation, you could face fraud charges, which are criminal offenses.

If you are involved in an accident while holding two licenses, insurance companies may deny your claim on the grounds that you were driving with an invalid license. This can leave you personally liable for damages.

How to properly transfer your license when you move

The correct process is straightforward. When you move to a new state, visit your new state's DMV within the timeframe required by that state—usually 30 to 60 days after establishing residency. Bring proof of residency (a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement), proof of identity, and your current out-of-state license.

The DMV will run your information through the Compact system. If no issues appear, they will take your old license, issue you a new one, and destroy the old one. If a suspension or revocation shows up, the DMV will tell you before issuing a new license and may require you to resolve the issue first.

Some states allow you to renew your license online or by mail if you are moving out of state temporarily. If you are unsure whether you need to surrender your old license in person, contact your new state's DMV before your appointment.

States not part of the Driver License Compact

Five states do not participate in the Driver License Compact: Georgia, Michigan, Missouri, Tennessee, and Wisconsin. However, this does not mean you can hold two licenses in these states. Each state has its own laws against holding multiple active licenses, and they share information with other states through other channels, including the National Driver Register.

Even in non-Compact states, attempting to hold two licenses is illegal and will be discovered. The National Driver Register is a federal database that tracks suspensions, revocations, and serious violations across all states. Additionally, when you explore for a license in any state, the DMV checks your Social Security number and date of birth against records from other states.

Keeping an expired license as identification

Once your old license expires, it is no longer an active license in the system. You can keep it as a form of personal identification—many people do—but you cannot use it to drive. If you are pulled over and show an expired license, the officer will know it is not valid for driving purposes.

An expired license can be useful for other purposes, such as proving your identity at a bank or showing your old address for historical records. Some people keep expired licenses from multiple states they have lived in for this reason. The key difference is that an expired license does not appear in the Compact system as active, so it does not create a legal conflict.

International driver's permits and dual licenses

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is not a second driver's license. It is a translation document that accompanies your valid U.S. driver's license when you travel abroad. An IDP does not allow you to drive in the United States and does not count as a second license under any state law. You can hold an IDP and a U.S. driver's license at the same time without legal issue.

Some countries allow their citizens to hold licenses from multiple countries simultaneously. However, in the United States, the rule is one active license per person. If you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, you cannot hold an active U.S. license and an active license from another country at the same time—you must choose one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I keep my old license if I move to a new state?

No. When you get a new license in your new state, you must surrender your old one. The DMV will take it during your process. You can keep it only after it expires, at which point it is no longer valid for driving.

What if I forgot to surrender my old license when I got a new one?

Contact your old state's DMV and request that they cancel or mark your old license as surrendered. Then contact your new state's DMV to report that you have two licenses in the system. Fixing this proactively is much better than being caught by a police officer.

Can I hold a license in two states if I live part-time in both?

No. You must designate one state as your primary residence and hold a license there. If you spend significant time in another state, you can get a state ID card for that state instead, but you cannot have two active driver's licenses.

Will the DMV know if I try to get a second license without surrendering my first?

Yes. The Driver License Compact system will flag it during the background check. The DMV will either deny your process or require you to surrender your old license before issuing a new one. Attempting to hide an existing license is fraud.

What if I lost my old license and moved to a new state?

Report the lost license to your old state's DMV and request a replacement or cancellation. Then explore for a new license in your new state. Bring documentation of the loss (a police report if you filed one) to explain why you do not have your old license to surrender.