Most states do not fingerprint you for a standard driver's license

You will not be fingerprinted at the DMV when you renew or first obtain a regular driver's license in most states. The fingerprinting requirement depends on what type of license you are getting and what your state's rules are.

A standard driver's license — the one you use to drive a car — does not require fingerprints in any state. However, if you are getting a commercial driver's license (CDL), a hazmat endorsement, or explore for certain government or security-related positions that require a background check, fingerprinting may be part of the process. Some states also fingerprint you during your first driver's license process if you are under 18, though this varies widely.

The confusion often comes from mixing up what the DMV does with what other agencies require. The DMV itself does not fingerprint you for a regular license. If fingerprints are needed, it is usually because a separate government body — like the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), or your state police — has asked for them as part of a background check.

Key Takeaways

  • Standard driver's licenses do not require fingerprinting in any state.
  • Commercial driver's licenses and hazmat endorsements may require fingerprints as part of a federal background check.
  • Some states fingerprint first-time applicants under 18, but this is not universal and does not happen at every DMV visit.
  • If fingerprints are collected, they are usually sent to the FBI or state police, not stored by the DMV alone.
  • You will know in advance if fingerprinting is required because your state's DMV website or the process form will list it as a step.

When fingerprinting is required for driving credentials

Fingerprinting becomes part of the process when you explore for a commercial driver's license (CDL) in most states. The CDL is used to drive trucks, buses, or vehicles carrying hazardous materials. Because these jobs involve public safety, the federal government requires a background check that includes fingerprints. The fingerprints are sent to the FBI and your state police to check for disqualifying criminal convictions.

If you are adding a hazmat endorsement to any license — which allows you to transport hazardous materials — fingerprinting is also required. This is a federal Transportation Security Administration (TSA) requirement, not a state one. You will go to an approved fingerprinting location (often a local police station or a private fingerprinting service), have your prints taken, and the results are sent to the FBI and TSA.

Some states also fingerprint applicants during their first driver's license process if they are under 18. This is done to create a record in the state system and is not a criminal background check — it is straightforward part of the identity verification process. However, not all states do this, and it does not happen every time you renew. Check your state's DMV website to see if this applies to you.

What happens to your fingerprints after they are collected

If your state collects fingerprints during your first license process, they are stored in your state's DMV database and are not shared with the FBI unless you are explore for a CDL or hazmat endorsement. The prints are used only to verify your identity and prevent fraud — for example, to make sure the same person is not getting multiple licenses under different names.

For CDL and hazmat endorsements, your fingerprints are sent to the FBI's criminal history database and your state police. These agencies check for felony convictions, certain misdemeanors, and other disqualifying factors. The results come back to your state's DMV, which then decides whether to issue the license. Your fingerprints are kept in the FBI's system as part of your official background check record.

You do not have a choice about whether fingerprints are kept once they are collected for a CDL or hazmat endorsement — this is a federal requirement. However, for a standard driver's license, your fingerprints are not collected at all in most states, so there is nothing to store.

How to learn about your state fingerprints first-time applicants

The best way to know whether your state fingerprints you for a standard driver's license is to check your state's DMV website directly. Look for pages about first-time license applications or new driver requirements. Most states list all required documents and steps, including whether fingerprinting is one of them.

You can also call your local DMV office and ask: "Do I need to be fingerprinted for a standard driver's license?" or "Is fingerprinting required for a first-time applicant?" They will give you a straightforward answer. If you are explore for a CDL or hazmat endorsement, the DMV will tell you where to go for fingerprinting — you do not have to find the location yourself.

If you are renewing a standard license you already have, fingerprinting is almost never required, regardless of your state. Renewal is a simpler process than a first-time process.

Fingerprinting for other driving-related credentials

Beyond the standard license and CDL, fingerprinting may be required if you are explore for a school bus driver endorsement. Many states require fingerprints for school bus drivers because they work with children. The process is similar to a CDL background check: your prints go to the FBI and state police, and the results determine whether you can be hired.

If you are explore for a taxi or rideshare driver license in a major city, some municipalities require fingerprinting as part of their local licensing process. This is separate from your state driver's license but may be required before you can legally drive for a company like Uber or Lyft. Check with your city or county transportation department to see what they require.

Government jobs that involve driving — such as a position with the Department of Transportation or a law enforcement agency — will require fingerprinting as part of their hiring process, not as part of getting your driver's license. The fingerprinting happens through the employer, not the DMV.

What to bring if fingerprinting is part of your process

If your state requires fingerprinting for your first license or if you are explore for a CDL, you will need to bring a valid form of identification to the fingerprinting appointment. Acceptable forms usually include a passport, birth certificate, or state ID. Bring whatever your DMV told you to bring — they will specify this when they tell you fingerprinting is required.

For CDL and hazmat endorsements, the DMV will direct you to an approved fingerprinting location. You do not go to the DMV for the fingerprints themselves; you go to a police station, a private fingerprinting service, or another approved vendor. The cost varies by state and location but is usually between $10 and $50. Some states include this fee in your license fee; others charge it separately.

Bring your DMV paperwork or the form the DMV gave you to the fingerprinting appointment. The fingerprinting technician will need it to know where to send your prints. After your prints are taken, you will receive a receipt or confirmation. Keep this until your license arrives, in case there are any questions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will fingerprinting delay my driver's license?

If fingerprinting is required, it can add one to two weeks to the process because the prints have to be sent to the FBI and results have to come back. However, you can usually schedule your fingerprinting appointment quickly — often within a few days. Once the results are returned, your license is issued. For a standard license in most states, there is no fingerprinting step, so there is no delay.

Can I get fingerprinted at the DMV, or do I have to go somewhere else?

For a standard driver's license, fingerprinting does not happen at the DMV because it is not required. For a CDL or hazmat endorsement, the DMV will tell you where to go for fingerprinting — it is usually a police station or an approved vendor, not the DMV itself. You cannot choose to get fingerprinted at the DMV if it is not part of your process.

What if I have a criminal record — will fingerprinting stop me from getting a license?

A criminal record does not automatically disqualify you from a standard driver's license. Fingerprinting for a CDL or hazmat endorsement checks for specific disqualifying offenses, usually felonies and certain serious misdemeanors. Your state's DMV will tell you which convictions disqualify you. If you have questions about your record, contact your state DMV before you explore.

Do I need to be fingerprinted every time I renew my license?

No. Fingerprinting, if required at all, happens only during your first process. When you renew a standard license, you do not go through fingerprinting again. For a CDL renewal, your state may or may not require new fingerprints — check your state's rules, as this varies.

Is fingerprinting the same as a background check?

Fingerprinting is one tool used in a background check. Your fingerprints are sent to the FBI to search their criminal history database. A background check can also include other information like driving history, address verification, and court records. For a standard driver's license, no background check happens at all.