A similitude of a driver license is a document that looks like a real driver license but is not legally valid for driving
A similitude of a driver license — sometimes called a "facsimile" or "look-alike" license — is a card designed to resemble an actual state driver license. It has the same size, layout, and security features as a real license, but it is not issued by your state's Department of Motor Vehicles and carries no legal authority. You cannot use it to drive, vote, board a plane, or prove your identity to law enforcement.
These documents exist in a legal gray area. Some are made by novelty companies and sold online or in joke shops. Others are created by people attempting to commit fraud. Possessing one — even if you never use it — can result in criminal charges in many states, depending on your intent and the document's design.
If you have received a similitude license or are unsure whether a document you hold is real, understanding the legal risks and the difference between a legitimate license and a fake one matters for your record and your safety.
Key Takeaways
- A similitude license looks real but is not issued by your state DMV and has no legal value for driving, identification, or any official purpose.
- Possessing a similitude license with intent to use it or pass it off as real is illegal in most states and can result in felony charges.
- Novelty licenses sold online or in shops are legal to own only if they are clearly marked as novelties and you do not attempt to use them as real identification.
- If you are stopped by police with a similitude license, telling an officer it is fake does not automatically protect you — your intent and the document's markings matter.
- A real driver license is issued only by your state DMV and includes security features, a signature, and a unique license number tied to your driving record.
How a similitude license differs from a real driver license
A real driver license is issued by your state's Department of Motor Vehicles after you pass a written test, vision test, and driving test. It contains your photograph, signature, date of birth, address, license number, and driving restrictions or endorsements. The card includes security features — holograms, microprinting, color-shifting ink — that change by state and are updated regularly to prevent counterfeiting.
A similitude license may have many of these visual elements, but it lacks the official security features and, critically, it is not connected to any state database. When a police officer, employer, or bank scans or verifies a real license, the information matches records in the state system. A similitude license will not appear in any official database and will when ready be identified as fraudulent if checked.
Novelty licenses sold legally are usually marked clearly — often with the word "NOVELTY" printed across the face or on the back. They may have joke text, a cartoon photo, or an obviously fake name. These are sold as gag gifts or collectibles and are legal to own. The problem arises when a similitude is unmarked, realistic, and in your possession with the intent to use it.
Why possessing a similitude license can be a criminal offense
Most states have laws that make it illegal to possess, create, or distribute a document that resembles a government-issued ID with the intent to use it or to defraud someone. The charge is often called "forgery," "uttering a forged instrument," or "fraudulent possession of a government document." Penalties vary widely by state but can include fines ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars and jail time ranging from months to years.
The key legal factor is intent. If you own a novelty license clearly marked as such and never attempt to use it, you are generally safe. If you possess an unmarked similitude license — whether you created it, bought it, or received it — and you use it to buy alcohol, enter a bar, board a plane, or present it to any official, you have committed a crime. Even possessing it without using it can be illegal if prosecutors can show you intended to use it.
Some states also have specific laws against possessing the tools or materials to create a similitude license, such as blank card stock, holograms, or software designed to replicate security features. These are treated as preparation for fraud and are prosecuted separately.
What happens if you are stopped with a similitude license
If a police officer stops you for a traffic violation and you hand over a similitude license, the officer will likely run it through the state database when ready. When it does not appear, the officer will know it is fake. At that point, telling the officer "it is just a novelty" or "I did not mean to use it" may not protect you, because the officer will assess whether you were attempting to use it as real identification.
If you were driving with the similitude license as your only form of ID, you will be cited for driving without a valid license — a separate violation from possessing the fake document. You may also be arrested for forgery or fraudulent possession, depending on the state and the officer's judgment. The officer will confiscate the document and may search your vehicle or person for other evidence of intent, such as multiple fake IDs or materials to create them.
If you are arrested, you will need to contact a criminal defense attorney. Do not attempt to explain your way out of the situation on the roadside. Your words can be used against you in court, and the officer's report will document what you said and how you presented the document.
Novelty licenses and what makes them legal to own
Novelty driver licenses are sold legally by online retailers, party supply shops, and joke gift websites. These are designed to be humorous and are clearly marked as novelties. Common examples include licenses that say "Professional Procrastinator," "Certified Couch Potato," or licenses with cartoon characters or celebrities. They are printed on card stock that looks similar to a real license but is usually thinner, has obvious joke text, and may include a disclaimer on the back stating it is not a real government document.
Owning a novelty license is legal because it is not designed to deceive and is not intended to be used as real identification. The manufacturer and seller have no fraudulent intent, and the buyer is purchasing it as a gag or collectible. However, if you take a novelty license and attempt to use it to buy alcohol, enter a restricted area, or prove your identity to an official, you have crossed into illegal use.
The safest approach is to keep any novelty license in a drawer or display case and never carry it in your wallet alongside your real ID. If you are asked for identification, present only your real driver license or state ID. This eliminates any confusion and protects you from being accused of attempting to use a fake document.
How to verify whether a document is a real driver license
If you are unsure whether a driver license you hold is real, check these features. First, visit your state's DMV website and look for the security features listed for current licenses — these usually include specific holograms, color patterns, and microprinting. Compare your license to the images on the website. Second, check whether your license number, name, and date of birth appear in the state database. You can often do this by logging into your DMV account online or calling the DMV directly with your license number.
Third, examine the physical card. A real license will have a photograph that is sharp and in color, a signature that matches your own, and text that is crisp and even. Similitude licenses often have blurry photos, printed signatures, or uneven text. Fourth, feel the card. Real licenses are made of polycarbonate or similar durable plastic and have a specific weight and texture. Novelty licenses are often printed on thinner card stock and feel different in your hand.
If you believe you have been issued a fake license by mistake, contact your state DMV when ready. Bring the card with you and explain the situation. The DMV will investigate and issue you a real license. If you purchased a similitude license online thinking it was real, contact the seller and request a refund. Do not attempt to use it for any purpose.
What to do if you are charged with possessing a similitude license
If you are arrested or cited for possessing a similitude license, your first step is to contact a criminal defense attorney. Do not speak to police without an attorney present, and do not post on social media about the incident. Your attorney will review the charges, the evidence, and the specific laws in your state to determine your options.
In some cases, an attorney can argue that the document was clearly a novelty and that you had no intent to use it as real identification. In other cases, the evidence may be stronger against you, and your attorney may negotiate a plea deal or prepare a defense for trial. The outcome depends on the state's laws, the specific facts of your case, and the quality of your legal representation.
If you are convicted, a criminal record for forgery or fraud can affect your ability to work, rent housing, or obtain certain licenses. This is why taking the charge seriously and getting legal help when ready is critical.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I legally own a novelty driver license?
Yes, if it is clearly marked as a novelty and you do not attempt to use it as real identification. Keep it in a safe place and never carry it in your wallet or present it to anyone as a real ID. If it is unmarked and realistic, possessing it can be illegal even if you never use it.
What is the difference between a similitude license and a counterfeit license?
A similitude is a look-alike document that may or may not be designed to deceive. A counterfeit is a fake version of a real license, created with the specific intent to defraud. Both are illegal to possess with intent to use, but a counterfeit is usually prosecuted more severely because it directly copies a government document.
If I bought a similitude license online thinking it was real, can I get in trouble?
If you never used it and can show you purchased it as a novelty, you are unlikely to face charges. However, if you used it to buy alcohol, enter a venue, or present it to an official, you can be charged regardless of whether you knew it was fake. Your intent matters, but so does your action.
Will a similitude license show up if a police officer runs it?
No. When an officer enters your license number into the state database, a similitude license will not appear. The officer will when ready know it is fake and may arrest you for forgery or fraudulent possession, depending on the circumstances and your state's laws.
Can I use a similitude license to vote or board a plane?
No. Both voting and air travel require a real, government-issued ID. A similitude license will not be accepted, and attempting to use one can result in criminal charges for fraud or forgery in addition to being denied entry.