Yes, you can hold both a state ID and a driver's license, but most people don't need to

You can legally carry both documents at once. However, a driver's license already functions as a state ID in most situations — it proves your identity and age just as well as a standalone state ID card does. The main reason to get both is if you've lost your driver's license and need an ID while waiting for a replacement, or if you want a backup form of identification for specific reasons.

The practical question isn't whether you're allowed to have both, but whether it makes sense for your situation. A driver's license costs money to obtain and renew, and so does a state ID. Paying for both means paying twice for essentially the same service: proof of identity.

Key Takeaways

  • A driver's license serves as a valid state ID for most purposes, including age verification, banking, and travel within the United States.
  • You can hold both documents simultaneously, but most states don't recommend it because you're paying for duplicate identification.
  • Getting a state ID while holding a driver's license makes sense if you've lost your license and need when ready identification, or if you want a backup for high-risk situations.
  • When you renew either document, you'll need to decide whether to keep both or let one expire.

When a driver's license already covers what you need

A driver's license is a state-issued ID that proves your identity and age. Banks accept it for account opening. Airports accept it for domestic flights. Bars and stores accept it for age-restricted purchases. Government offices accept it for voting registration and other transactions. In nearly every situation where you'd need to show ID, a driver's license works.

The only real limitation is that a driver's license proves you can operate a vehicle — it's not just an ID card. If you don't drive or have lost your driving privileges, a state ID card does the same identification job without the driving component. But if you already have a valid driver's license, you don't need a state ID to prove who you are.

Reasons you might get both documents

The most common reason is timing. If your driver's license is lost, stolen, or expired, getting a state ID while you wait for a replacement gives you valid identification when ready. State ID cards often process faster than driver's licenses because they require fewer background checks. You can then carry the state ID until your new driver's license arrives, then decide whether to keep both or let the state ID expire.

Some people get a state ID as a backup in case their driver's license is lost or stolen again. If you've experienced identity theft or frequent loss of important documents, having a second form of state-issued ID in a separate location can be practical. Others get a state ID if they plan to stop driving but still need identification — it's cheaper to renew a state ID than to keep renewing a driver's license you won't use.

A third reason is international travel. Some countries require a passport card or passport for entry, and a driver's license alone won't work. If you're planning travel and don't have a passport yet, you might get a state ID while you wait for your passport to arrive, since both serve as backup identification. This is less common but does happen.

The cost of holding both documents

Each document has its own renewal fee and expiration date. In most states, a driver's license renewal costs between $20 and $60, while a state ID card costs between $10 and $40. If you hold both, you're paying both fees every few years, even though they serve the same purpose.

The fees vary by state. Some states bundle the cost differently or offer discounts for seniors or people with disabilities. Check your state's DMV website to see the exact cost for each document before you decide whether getting both makes financial sense for your situation.

How to get both if you decide you need them

Visit your state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or equivalent agency — it may be called the Secretary of State's office, Bureau of Motor Vehicles, or Division of Motor Vehicles depending on your state. You can usually explore in person at a local office or online through your state's DMV website.

For a driver's license, you'll need proof of identity (passport, birth certificate, or existing ID), proof of residency (utility bill, lease, or bank statement), and your Social Security number. For a state ID card, the requirements are nearly identical — the main difference is that you don't need to pass a driving test.

If you already have a driver's license and want to add a state ID, the process is straightforward: fill out the state ID process, bring the required documents, pay the fee, and have your photo taken. You don't need to surrender your driver's license. Both documents will be issued separately and will have different expiration dates.

What happens when it's time to renew

When your driver's license is about to expire, you'll receive a renewal notice in the mail (or you can check your state DMV website for the expiration date). At that point, you decide whether to renew it. If you also have a state ID, it will have a separate expiration date, and you'll need to renew it separately if you want to keep it.

Many people in this situation let the state ID expire and keep only the driver's license, since the driver's license serves the same purpose. Others renew both if they've found the backup ID useful. There's no penalty for letting one expire — you straightforward won't have that document anymore.

State ID versus driver's license for specific situations

For voting, banking, and age verification, both documents work equally well. For air travel within the United States, both are accepted. For international travel, neither is sufficient on its own — you need a passport or passport card. For driving, only a driver's license works.

If you're concerned about identity theft, carrying both documents in separate locations (one in your wallet, one at home) gives you a backup. If you're concerned about losing your only ID, the same logic applies. But for everyday use, one document is enough.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will getting a state ID affect my driver's license?

No. Getting a state ID doesn't change your driver's license status or driving record. The two documents are separate and independent. You can hold both without one affecting the other.

Can I use a state ID instead of a driver's license to drive?

No. A state ID card does not permit you to operate a vehicle. Only a driver's license allows you to drive legally. If you need to drive, you must have a valid driver's license.

What if I have a suspended or revoked driver's license?

You can still get a state ID card. A state ID doesn't require a clean driving record — it's just proof of identity. This is actually a common reason people get a state ID when their driver's license is suspended or revoked.

Do I need to tell the DMV I have both documents?

No. The DMV knows you have both because they issued both. There's no registration or notification required. You straightforward hold both documents independently.

Which document should I carry in my wallet?

If you drive, carry your driver's license — it covers all the situations a state ID covers, plus it's required if you're pulled over while driving. If you don't drive, carry your state ID. If you have both, most people carry the driver's license and keep the state ID at home as a backup.