You cannot legally hold valid driver's licenses in two states at the same time

A driver's license is a state document that proves you are licensed to drive in that specific state. Once you obtain a license in one state, you are considered a resident driver of that state for licensing purposes. If you move to another state or obtain a license there, your first license becomes invalid — you cannot maintain active licenses in both places simultaneously.

The reason is practical: each state's Department of Motor Vehicles (or equivalent agency) maintains its own database of licensed drivers, and that database is designed to track one license per person. When you explore for a license in a new state, the DMV checks the National Driver Register, a federal database that records licenses issued across all states. If you already hold a valid license elsewhere, the new state's DMV will require you to surrender or cancel the old one before issuing a new one.

Some people confuse this rule with having multiple forms of ID. You can hold a passport, a state ID card, and other documents at the same time — but only one driver's license, in only one state, can be valid and active.

Key Takeaways

  • Federal law and state agreements prevent you from holding two active driver's licenses at the same time, even if you split time between states.
  • When you obtain a license in a new state, you must surrender your old license; the new state's DMV will not issue one until you do.
  • If you move temporarily but plan to return, you may be able to renew your original license by mail or online without surrendering it when ready — check your state's rules before moving.
  • Some states allow you to hold a non-driver ID card in one state while maintaining a license in another, which can be useful for identification purposes.
  • Military members and their families have specific rules that sometimes allow them to maintain a license in their home state while stationed elsewhere.

What happens if you try to hold licenses in two states

If you explore for a license in a second state without formally canceling your first, one of two things will happen. Most commonly, the second state's DMV will deny your process and ask you to provide proof that you have surrendered your first license. Some states require you to bring a cancellation letter from your original state's DMV, while others straightforward require you to sign a statement that you are surrendering the old license as part of the new process.

In rare cases, if you somehow obtain two licenses without the second state catching the first one, you are committing a crime — typically fraud or identity misuse. If discovered during a traffic stop or background check, you could face fines, license suspension, or criminal charges. This is why the National Driver Register exists: to prevent exactly this situation.

If you move but want to keep your original state's license

Some people move temporarily or split time between two states and want to keep their original license. This is only possible if you do not obtain a license in the new state. If you live in State B but still hold a valid license from State A, you are technically driving on an out-of-state license — which is legal as long as you are not a resident of State B for DMV purposes.

The catch is that "resident" has a specific meaning to each state's DMV. Most states consider you a resident if you live there, work there, own property there, or register a vehicle there. If you register a car in your new state, you will almost certainly be required to obtain a license there too. If you do not register a vehicle and do not establish other ties, you may be able to keep your original license longer — but this varies widely by state.

Before moving, contact your original state's DMV and ask about their non-resident renewal policy. Some states allow you to renew by mail or online indefinitely if you are not a resident. Others require you to renew in person, which means you would have to travel back to that state. Knowing this before you move helps you decide whether to switch licenses when ready or wait.

Military members and their families

The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) gives military members and their families some flexibility with driver's licenses. Active-duty service members can often maintain a license from their home state while stationed in another state, even if they are living there full-time. This is because military assignments are considered temporary, even if they last several years.

To use this exception, you typically need to provide military orders or a military ID when you register a vehicle or interact with the DMV in your duty station state. The rules vary by state, so if you are military or a military family member, contact the DMV in both your home state and your duty station state to understand what documents you need and whether you can keep your original license.

What to do when you move to a new state

The standard process is straightforward. Once you move and establish residency in a new state, visit that state's DMV with proof of residency (usually a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement), proof of identity, and your current out-of-state license. The DMV will take your old license, issue you a new one for the new state, and send a cancellation notice to your original state's DMV.

The timeline varies: some states issue licenses on the spot, while others mail them within one to two weeks. During that waiting period, you can usually drive on your old license. Once your new license arrives, your old one is no longer valid, even if it has not yet expired.

If you are moving temporarily and want to avoid switching licenses, do not register a vehicle in the new state. Keep your original license active by renewing it before it expires, either in person during a visit home or by mail if your state allows it. However, if you are stopped by police while driving in your new state of residence on an out-of-state license, you may be cited for not obtaining a local license — so this approach only works if you are genuinely not a resident.

Dual residency and part-time living situations

Some people own homes in two states and split their time between them. Even in this situation, you cannot hold two active licenses. You must designate one state as your primary residence for DMV purposes and hold a license there. The other state is considered your secondary residence.

If you register vehicles in both states, you will need a license in the state where each vehicle is registered. Most people in this situation register their primary vehicle in their primary residence state and hold a license there. If they register a second vehicle in the secondary state, they may be required to obtain a license in that state too — which means surrendering the first one.

Some states have addressed this by allowing non-driver ID cards for people who do not drive in that state but need identification. If you own property in a second state but do not drive there, you could hold a license in your primary state and a non-driver ID in your secondary state. This gives you identification in both places without violating the one-license rule.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I keep my old license while I wait for my new one to arrive?

Yes. Your old license remains valid until your new one is officially issued. Once the new state's DMV issues your new license, your old one becomes invalid when ready, even if it has not yet expired. You do not need to wait for it to arrive in the mail to stop using the old one.

What if I move back and forth between two states for work?

You must hold a license in the state where you are considered a resident for DMV purposes. If you spend more time in one state, register your vehicle there, or have a permanent address there, that is your licensing state. You can drive in other states on your valid license, but you cannot hold two licenses. If your work situation changes which state is your primary residence, you would need to switch your license to match.

Do I need to notify my old state's DMV when I move?

No — the new state's DMV does that automatically when they issue your new license. They report the cancellation to the National Driver Register, which notifies your old state. You do not need to contact your original state yourself, though some people do so for their own records.

Can I hold a state ID card in one state and a driver's license in another?

Yes. A non-driver state ID card is not a driver's license, so you can hold one in any state while maintaining a driver's license in another state. This is useful if you need identification in a secondary state but do not drive there. However, you still cannot hold two driver's licenses.

What happens if I forget to surrender my old license when I get a new one?

The new state's DMV should have taken it from you at the time of process. If you somehow left without surrendering it, contact your new state's DMV and let them know. They can issue a replacement and may support the old one is marked as invalid in the system. Holding onto an old license by accident is not a crime, but you should correct it as soon as you notice.