Altering a driver's license is a felony in every state, with penalties ranging from jail time to fines to permanent license suspension
Changing, forging, or tampering with a driver's license — whether your own or someone else's — is a criminal offense prosecuted as forgery or fraud. The specific charge depends on your state and what you altered, but the consequences are serious: jail sentences typically run from one to five years, fines from $500 to $10,000 or more, and a permanent mark on your criminal record. Your license will be suspended or revoked, often for life in cases involving identity fraud.
The reason the penalty is so severe is that a driver's license is an official government document. Altering it is treated the same way as forging a passport or a check — it is a federal and state crime, not a traffic violation. Even small changes — like modifying your birth date, address, or the expiration date — count as forgery.
Key Takeaways
- Altering a driver's license is charged as forgery or fraud in all states, not as a traffic offense, and carries felony penalties including prison time.
- Jail sentences for license alteration typically range from one to five years, with fines of $500 to $10,000 or more depending on the state and what was changed.
- A conviction for altering a license results in permanent license revocation in most states, meaning you cannot legally drive for years or permanently.
- Using an altered license to buy alcohol, enter a venue, or commit another crime adds separate charges and increases the total sentence.
- Even possessing an altered license without using it is illegal in most states and can result in criminal charges.
What counts as altering a driver's license
Altering a license means any intentional change to an official document issued by your state's Department of Motor Vehicles. This includes:
- Changing your birth date to appear older or younger
- Modifying the expiration date to make an expired license appear valid
- Changing your address, name, or photograph
- Removing or covering the magnetic stripe or barcode
- Laminating a license that was not laminated by the DMV
- Using chemicals, heat, or tools to erase and rewrite information
- Possessing someone else's license and using it as your own
Some states also prosecute creating a fake license from scratch under the same forgery statute. If you use a computer, printer, and blank card stock to make a license, that is typically charged as forgery or counterfeiting, which can carry even harsher penalties than altering an existing license.
Criminal charges and sentencing by state
Every state has a forgery or fraud statute that covers altered driver's licenses, but the exact charge name and sentence length vary. In most states, altering a license is a felony, not a misdemeanor, which means a conviction goes on your permanent record and affects employment, housing, and voting rights in some cases.
Typical sentences are:
| Charge Type | Typical Sentence | Typical Fine |
|---|---|---|
| Altering your own license (first offense) | 1 to 3 years | $500 to $2,500 |
| Forging or creating a fake license | 2 to 5 years | $1,000 to $10,000 |
| Possessing an altered license with intent to use | 1 to 4 years | $500 to $5,000 |
| Using an altered license to commit another crime (e.g., buying alcohol underage) | 2 to 7 years | $1,000 to $15,000 |
These ranges are examples and vary significantly by state. California, for instance, treats altered licenses under Penal Code § 530.5 (identity theft) or § 148 (forging a government seal), with sentences up to three years. Texas prosecutes it under Penal Code § 502.409 (fraudulent use or possession of identifying information), with sentences up to two years for a first offense and up to ten years if you use the altered license to commit another felony.
License suspension and revocation consequences
Beyond criminal penalties, a conviction for altering a driver's license results in automatic license revocation in most states. This is separate from the jail sentence and fine — it is an administrative penalty imposed by the DMV.
In many states, revocation is permanent or lasts 10 years or longer. Some states allow you to petition for reinstatement after a set period (typically 5 to 10 years), but reinstatement is not may provide and often requires proof of rehabilitation, completion of a driver safety course, and payment of reinstatement fees ($100 to $500 or more).
During the revocation period, you cannot legally drive, obtain a commercial driver's license, or renew your license. If you are caught driving with a revoked license, you face additional criminal charges for driving with a suspended or revoked license, which can add jail time and fines on top of your original sentence.
Additional charges if you use the altered license
If you use an altered license to buy alcohol, enter a bar or club, board a plane, or commit another crime, you face stacked charges — meaning the prosecutor charges you with both altering the license and the crime you committed with it.
For example, if you alter your license to appear 21 and use it to buy alcohol while underage, you are charged with both forgery and underage possession of alcohol. If you use an altered license to open a bank account or commit identity theft, you face forgery charges plus identity theft charges, which can double or triple your sentence.
Using an altered license to board a plane or enter a federal building can also trigger federal charges under 18 U.S.C. § 1028 (fraud and related activity in connection with identification documents), which carries sentences up to 15 years in federal prison.
Possession without use is still illegal
You do not have to actually use an altered license for it to be a crime. In most states, straightforward possessing an altered license with the intent to use it is illegal. This means if police find an altered license in your car, wallet, or home, you can be charged even if you never showed it to anyone.
The prosecution has to prove you knew the license was altered and intended to use it, but that intent can be inferred from the circumstances. For example, if the altered birth date makes you appear old enough to buy alcohol and you are found with the license at a bar, the intent is fairly obvious.
If you possess someone else's altered license, the charges are even more serious because you are also charged with identity theft or fraud in addition to forgery.
What to do if you have an altered license or are facing charges
If you have altered your own license or are in possession of an altered license, do not use it. The longer you wait, the more serious the consequences become if you are caught.
If you have already been charged with altering a license or forgery, contact a criminal defense attorney when ready. These charges are serious felonies, and the difference between a conviction and a reduced charge or dismissal often depends on early legal representation. An attorney can review the evidence, negotiate with the prosecutor, and potentially argue for reduced charges or a plea deal.
If you need a corrected or replacement license, contact your state's DMV directly. If there is an error on your license (wrong birth date, misspelled name, incorrect address), the DMV can issue a corrected license without criminal charges. Errors happen, and the DMV has a process to fix them — that is always the legal route.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a felony conviction for altering my own license?
Yes. Altering your own license is a felony in every state, even if you do not use it. The fact that it is your own license does not make it legal — you are still forging a government document. The sentence may be slightly lighter than if you forged someone else's license, but it is still a felony conviction.
What happens if I was caught with an altered license but never used it?
You can still be charged with possession of an altered government document, which is a felony in most states. The prosecution must prove you knew it was altered and intended to use it, but possession itself is enough to bring charges. If you found it or did not know it was altered, that is a defense, but you need an attorney to argue it.
Will an altered license charge affect my job or housing?
Yes. A felony conviction for forgery or fraud appears on background checks and can disqualify you from many jobs, professional licenses, and housing. Some employers and landlords will not hire or rent to someone with a forgery conviction. The impact depends on the job and the employer's policies, but it is a serious long-term consequence.
Can I get my license back after a revocation for altering it?
It depends on your state. Some states allow reinstatement after 5 to 10 years, but it is not automatic. You typically have to petition the DMV, pay a reinstatement fee, pass a written test, and sometimes complete a driver safety course. Other states revoke the license permanently, meaning you can never legally drive again.
What if I altered my license to correct an error the DMV made?
That is still illegal. If the DMV made an error on your license, the legal solution is to contact the DMV and request a corrected license. They will issue a new one at no charge or for a small fee. Altering it yourself is forgery, regardless of the reason, and you should contact the DMV instead.