The correct term is "driver's license"

Driver's license — with an apostrophe — is the standard spelling in American English. The apostrophe shows that the license belongs to the driver, making it a possessive noun. This is the spelling you'll see on official documents, government websites, and in most published writing.

"Drivers license" without an apostrophe is a common misspelling, but it's not correct. The apostrophe matters because it changes the meaning: "driver's" means "belonging to the driver," while "drivers" would be a plural noun with no possessive meaning.

In everyday conversation, most people say "driver's license" aloud the same way regardless of spelling, so the mistake is straightforward to make when writing. But on forms, applications, and official correspondence, use the apostrophe.

Key Takeaways

  • The correct spelling is "driver's license" with an apostrophe, showing the license belongs to the driver.
  • "Drivers license" without an apostrophe is a misspelling and should not be used in formal writing or official documents.
  • Government agencies, DMV offices, and official state documents all use "driver's license" as the standard term.
  • The apostrophe is a possessive marker, the same way you would write "student's ID" or "teacher's handbook."

Why the apostrophe exists

English uses apostrophes in possessive nouns to show ownership or belonging. A "driver's license" is a license that belongs to a driver — the same way a "car's engine" is an engine that belongs to a car. The apostrophe comes before the "s" in singular possessives.

This rule applies even when the word is used so often that people stop thinking about what it means. You wouldn't write "the students homework" or "the teachers desk," and the same principle applies to driver's license.

What you'll see on official documents

Your state's Department of Motor Vehicles uses "driver's license" on all official materials — the physical card itself, the process forms, the handbook, and the website. When you search for information about renewing your license or taking the written test, the state agency will use the correct spelling.

If you're filling out a form and the blank says "drivers license" without an apostrophe, that's a typo on the form, not a signal that you should spell it that way. Write "driver's license" in your answer.

Related terms that follow the same rule

Several related documents follow the same possessive pattern. A "learner's permit" belongs to a learner. A "commercial driver's license" (CDL) belongs to a commercial driver. A "motorcycle endorsement" or "motorcycle license" is slightly different — it's not possessive, so there's no apostrophe — but "driver's" always takes one.

If you're unsure about any official term, check your state's DMV website. The agency's own spelling is always the safest choice for forms and official writing.

Common places people get this wrong

The misspelling "drivers license" shows up often in casual writing — text messages, social media, and informal emails — because people are thinking about the meaning rather than the grammar. Online search engines also pick up both versions because so many people type it without the apostrophe.

But in any formal context — job applications, official forms, emails to government agencies, or anything you're submitting as a record — use the correct spelling with the apostrophe. It takes one extra keystroke and signals that you're paying attention to detail.

How to remember the difference

Think of it as "the license of the driver" — that's what the apostrophe represents. If you can rephrase it that way and it makes sense, you need the apostrophe. You wouldn't say "the license of drivers" (plural), so you wouldn't write "drivers license."

Another way to check: if you're talking about one person's license, use "driver's." If you were somehow talking about a group of drivers and their shared license (which almost never happens), you might use "drivers'" — but in practice, you'll almost always need "driver's" with the apostrophe before the "s."

Frequently Asked Questions

Does my state use a different spelling?

No. All U.S. states use "driver's license" as the standard term. The apostrophe is part of English grammar, not a state-by-state choice. If you see a state form that says "drivers license" without an apostrophe, that's a typo on the form itself.

What if I already wrote "drivers license" on a form?

If the form has already been submitted, don't worry — the meaning is clear, and most people won't notice the misspelling. If you're filling out a form now and haven't submitted it yet, correct it to "driver's license" before you send it in.

Is there ever a time when "drivers license" without an apostrophe is correct?

No. In standard American English, the possessive form "driver's license" is always correct. There is no context — formal or informal — where "drivers license" is the right choice.

Do other English-speaking countries spell it differently?

In the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth countries, the term is "driving licence" (with a "c"), not "driver's license." But in the United States, "driver's license" with an apostrophe is the standard spelling everywhere.