In the United States, the issuance of licenses is the authority of individual states (including Washington, D.C. and all territories). Drivers are normally required to obtain a license from their state of residence. All states currently recognize each other's licenses for short-term visitors, although there are restrictions such as age, and a state may suspend an individual's driving privilege within its borders. US licenses are also accepted in Canada and many other nations due to various international agreements and treaties. Many states share a common system of license classes, with some exceptions, and commercial license classes are standardized by the federal law of 49CFR part 383.
Some states also have additional classifications. Hawaii, for example has a separate license category for drivers who only operate mopeds, while some more northerly states have separate categories for Snowmobiles and ATVs. South Carolina and Georgia have non-commercial versions of every commercial class license for agriculture purposes.
Professional drivers are usually required to add endorsements to their CDL in order to drive certain types of vehicles that require additional training, such as those equipped with air brakes. CDL endorsements are also common among all states, and the training and testing requirements are regulated by the Federal Government. Endorsements are as follows:
Instates, the minimum age to obtain a driver's license varies from 14 years, 3 months in South Dakota to as high as 17 in New Jersey. In most states, a graduated licensing law applies to newly licensed teenage drivers, going by names such as "Provisional Driver", "Junior Operator", "Probationary Driver" or "Intermediate License." These licenses restrict certain driving privileges, normally whether the new driver may carry passengers and if so how many, as well as setting a curfew for young drivers to be off the roads. Unlike in Australia and some provinces of Canada, however, graduated licensing laws do not require lowered speed limits, displaying of L and P plates, restrictions on towing a trailer or boat, or prohibitions on highway driving or operating high performance cars. GDLs are subject to the same 50 state reciprocity that unrestricted licenses are, with the exception that drivers under 16 may not be permitted to operate in states with higher licensing ages. Graduated license holders must always adhere to the restrictions of their home state regardless of where they are driving. Additionally, depending on local laws, underage drivers may also be subject to the GDL laws of the state they are driving in as well, although this is not always the case.
In addition to the above restrictions, drivers under 18 are usually required to attend a comprehensive drivers education program either at their high school or a professional driving school and take a certain number of behind the wheel lessons with a certified driving instructor before applying for a license. Some states like New York also require new adult drivers to attend some form of driver's education before applying for a license.
Unlike in Europe and Australia, drivers who are 18 or older (21 in New Jersey and the District of Columbia) when they first become licensed are not subject to the restrictions . However, in some states all newly licensed adult drivers may be on probation for a set amount of time (usually between six months and two years), during which traffic violations carry harsher penalties or mandatory suspensions that would not normally apply to experienced drivers.
According to federal law, the minimum age to operate a commercial vehicle in interstate transit (i.e. across state lines) is 21, and as a result the minimum age to apply for an unrestricted commercial driver's license is 21. Driving a school bus also requires a CDL, however the minimum age to drive a school bus is typically higher, usually 25. Some states issue restricted intrastate commercial driver's licenses, valid for operating commercial vehicles in that state only, to drivers aged 18 and older. Professional drivers who are aged 18-20 typically cannot be licensed to drive tractor trailers, hazardous materials, or school buses.
Below is a list of the GDL laws for each state. The information was compiled from [2].
| State | Learner's Permit | Restricted License | Full License | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 15 years | 16 years | 16 years, 6 months | Restricted license achievable after reaching age 16 and holding permit for six months. No driving from midnight to 6:00am and no more than 3 passengers for six months or reaching age 17, whichever is sooner. The learner must also log 30 practice hours or take driver training with permit. |
| Alaska | 14 years | 16 years | 16 years, 6 months | The licence holder must log 40 practice hours, reach age 16 and have had permit for six months to get restricted license. No passengers under 21 for the first and no driving between 1am and 5am until holding license for six months or reaching age 18, whichever is sooner. |
| Arizona | 15 years, 6 months | 16 years | 16 years, 6 months | The licence holder log 30 practice hours or take driver education. No more than 1 passenger allowed in the vehicle or driving between 10 P.M. to 5 A.M. until reaching age 18 or holding license for six months, whichever is sooner. |
| Arkansas | 14 years | 16 years | 16 years, 6 months | Learner's permit must be held for six months and driver must reach age 16. |
| California | 15 years, 6 months | 16 years | 17 years | Permit upon completion of driver's education registration, and cannot drive with a permit without a parent, guardian or licensed adult age of 25 or older. Restrictions include not being able to drive anyone under the age of 20 and not being able to drive between the hours of 11p.m. to 5a.m. for one year after receiving the license or reaching age 18, whichever is sooner. [3] [4] Learner's permit must be held for six months and learner must log 50 practice hours. |
| Colorado | 15 years | 16 years | 17 years | Learner's permit must be held for one year. 50 practice hours must be logged. Drivers under 17 may carry one passenger over the age of 18 for the first six months of being licensed, one passenger of any age for the next six months after that. Driving between midnight and 5am is also prohibited until the driver has been licensed for one year or turns 18. |
| Connecticut | 16 years | 16 years, 4 months | 18 years | Learner's permit must be held for 4 months and driver must log 40 practice hours. No passengers under 20 for six months, no driving between 11pm and 5am until the driver turns 18. |
| Delaware | 16 years | 16 years, 6 months | 17 years | Permit must be held for six months. Learner must have 50 practice hours. No driving from 10:00 to 6:00 am or any more than one passenger for six months. |
| District of Columbia | 16 years | 16 years, 6 months | 17 years | Learner's permit must be held for six months. Learner must have 40 practice hours. Restrictions are lifted after six months or reaching age 21, whichever is sooner. Driver will receive enhanced penalties for violations until reaching age 21. |
| Florida | 15 years | 16 years | 18 years | Learner's permit must be held for one year and log 50 practice hours. 16 years - No 11 pm to 6 am driving unless with 21 year or older licensed driver or driving to and from work. 17 years - No 1 am to 5 am driving unless with 21 year or older licensed driver or driving to and from work. |
| Georgia | 15 years | 16 years | 18 years | Permit must be held for one year and learner must have 40 practice hours. No passengers for first six months. One passenger for following six months. After that no more than three passengers until reaching age 18. Also, driver may not drive from midnight to 6am until reaching age 18. |
| Hawaii | 15 years, 6 months | 16 years | 17 years | Permit must be held for six months. Only one passenger under 18 or driving from 11pm to 5am for one year or upon age 18, whichever is sooner. |
| Idaho[5] | 14 years, 6 months | 15 years | 16 years | Permit must be held for six months. Learner must log 50 practice hours. Those under 17 must complete an accredited driver training program to receive an instruction permit. Those under 16 may only drive during daylight hours, unless supervised by a licensed driver 21 or over. For the first 6 months of license possession, the driver is only able to carry one non-family member under age 17 in their car. |
| Illinois[6] | 15 years | 16 years | 18 years | If under 18, applicants must complete 50 hours of driving, complete driver's education, show proof of enrollment in school and hold permit for nine months before one can apply for license. If convicted of a moving violation during permit phase, the 9-month waiting period restarts. Anyone under 18 cannot drive between the hours of 10:00 PM and 6:00 AM Sunday - Thursday or 11:00 PM and 6:00 AM Friday - Saturday. Drivers under 18 for the first 12 months or until the driver turns 18, whichever occurs first, are allowed one passenger under the age of 20 unless those being transported are immediate family members or over 20.
Driver must have not been convicted of a moving violation in the 6 months prior to turning 18 to receive full license privileges. If a driver is convicted of a moving violation in the first full year of licensing, this will result in extension of the passenger restriction for an additional 6 months. If a driver is convicted of a moving violation before turning 18, the Secretary of State will mail a warning letter to the driver and parents. If a under 18 driver is convicted of two moving violations in 24 months, this will result in a minimum 1-month license suspension. |
| Indiana | 15 years | 16 years, 1 month | 18 years | Permit must be held for 2 months and learner must be 16 and 30 days before getting a restricted license. If the learner is younger than 18 years of age on receiving the driver's license, it is considered probationary. Holders of a probationary driver's license may drive alone but must observe the following regulations regarding passengers:
If there are passengers of any age in the vehicle during the first 90 days of the driver's license, an individual 21 years of age or older with a valid driver's license must be seated in the vehicle's front passenger seat; and If there are passengers in the vehicle, every occupant must wear a seat belt. Holders of a probationary driver's license, must comply with state and local curfew laws. Drivers under the age of 18 are not permitted to drive after 1 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, or after 11 p.m. on Sunday through Thursday, unless the following conditions apply: The probationary driver is accompanied by a parent, guardian or custodian, or an adult designated by a parent, guardian or custodian; or The probationary driver is going to or returning from a job, school, religious activity, an activity involving the exercise of civil rights, or an activity sponsored by a governmental or non-profit entity. |
| Iowa | 14 years | 16 years | 17 years (with perfect driving record for first year, if not, 18 years) | Permit must be held for six months and learner must be 16. Learner must also log at least 20 practice hours. Restricted drivers can not drive between 12:30 A.M. and 5:00 A.M. unless there is a parent/guardian, immediate family member over 21, or a designated adult over 25. The driver may drive between these times if they are granted a waiver for travel to and from work or school related activities. The number of passengers is limited to the number of seat belts. Full license at 17 years old if the driver has gone violation and accident free for 12 consecutive months, otherwise they must be 18 years old. |
| Kansas[7] | 14 years | 15 years | 16 years | Permit must be held for six months. After logging 20 daytime and 5 nighttime hours of driving, if the learner is between age 15 and 16 the learner has the option of getting a restricted license. The learner must then log an additional 20 daytime and 5 nighttime practice hours and reach age 16 before getting license. Applicant must provide affidavit showing at least 50 hours of adult supervised driving, with 10 of those hours being at night, by a licensed driver at least 21 years old.[8] |
| Kentucky | 16 years | 16 years, 6 months | 17 years | Learner's permit must be held for six months and learner must log 60 practice hours. No driving from midnight to 6am and no more than one passenger under 20 for six months or reaching age 18, whichever is sooner. |
| Louisiana | 15 years | 16 years | 17 years | Learner must have permit for six months, reach age 16, and log 35 practice hours. Anyone under 17 years of age cannot drive between the hours of 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. |
| Maine | 15 years | 16 years | 18 years | Learner must have permit for six months, be 16, and have 35 practice hours. Only immediate family and no driving from midnight to 5am for six months or reaching age 18, whichever is sooner. Under 18 may not use cell phone while driving. |
| Maryland | 15 years, 9 months | 16 years, 3 months | 17 years, 9 months | Learner must hold permit for six months and log 60 practice hours. Anyone under 18 years of age with a provisional license may not carry passengers under 18 for the first 151 days of having the license or drive between midnight and 5am. In Maryland, all new drivers regardless of age hold a provisional license for 18 months, but for adult drivers, the passenger and time restrictions do not apply (however the enhanced penalties do.) |
| Massachusetts | 16 years | 16 years, 6 months | 18 years | Permit must be held for six months and learner must log 40 practice hours. Junior operators cannot drive between 12:30am and 5am unless accompanied by their parent. Additionally, junior operators cannot drive with minor passengers (except immediate family members) unless accompanied by a licensed driver over 21 within the first 6 months of obtaining a License. The Massachusetts JOL law also takes a zero-tolerance stance towards speeding, drivers under 18 caught speeding are subject to a mandatory 90 day suspension for the first offense accompanied by a mandatory road rage education class and a mandatory retake of the both permit and road tests. A one year revocation is mandatory for the second and each subsequent offense [9]. |
| Michigan[10] | 14 years, 9 months | 16 years | 17 years | Learner must reach age 16, have permit for six months, and log 50 practice hours. To obtain a Level 1 License (Learner's Permit) the learner is required to complete Segment 1 of a Driver's Education Course. A Level 2 License (Junior License) permits the holder to drive unaccompanied except between the hours of midnight and 5 a.m. unless accompanied by a licensed driver over 21 or driving to or from employment. |
| Minnesota | 15 years | 16 years | 18 years | Permit must be held for six months and learner must reach age 16 and log 30 practice hours. No cell phone usage before age 18, all passengers must wear seat belts. Effective August 1,2008: junior operators cannot drive with minor passengers (except immediate family members) unless accompanied by a licensed driver over 21 within the first 6 months of obtaining a License. Driving curfew from midnight to 5 a.m. for first 6 months. Exceptions to these rules are traveling from home to place of employment, school, school events that offer no transportation, or other employment reasons. |
| Mississippi | 15 years | 15 years, 6 months | 16 years | Must hold a learner's permit for six months, before applying for a intermediate license, and is restricted for use between hours of 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Must hold a intermediate license for six months or reach the age of 17, before applying for a full license. |
| Missouri | 15 years | 16 years | 18 years | 40 hours of driving instruction are required including 10 hours at night and reaching of age 16 and holding the permit for six months to be eligible for the restricted license. Restrictions include no driving between 1am and 5am unless required for school or work, limitations of 1 passenger under 19 for the first six months after the license is issued and 3 passengers thereafter, and there must be no traffic or alcohol offenses for one year to advance to the full license.[11] |
| Montana | 14 years, 6 months | 15 years | 16 years | Permit must be held for six months. Learner must log 50 practice hours. No driving from 11pm to 5am for one year. No more than one passenger under 18 for first six months. No more than 3 passengers under 18 for second six months. |
| Nebraska | 15 years | 16 years | 17 years | Learner must log 50 hours of practice, hold permit for six months, and reach age 16. Only one passenger under 19 allowed for first six months. No driving from midnight to 6am for one year. |
| Nevada | 15 years, 6 months | 16 years | 18 years | Learner must have 50 practice hours and hold permit for six months. Underage drivers may not transport passengers under 18 for the first six months of being licensed, and may not drive between 10pm and 5am until they turn 18 (except with a letter from a school official or employer.) Additional restrictions apply in Las Vegas and Reno. |
| New Hampshire | 15 years, 6 months* | 16 years | 16 years, 6 months | *No formal learner's permit is required in NH, 15 1/2 year olds may drive so long as they are accompanied by a licensed driver aged 25 or older. Junior opperators under 18 may not drive between 1am and 5am or drive with more than one non-family member under 18 in the vehicle for the first six months after receiving his or her license. |
| New Jersey | 16 years | 17 years | 18 years | Learner must reach age 17 and have had permit for six months. No driving between 12:01 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. or driving with more than one, non family member under 18 for one year or until age 21, whichever is sooner. |
| New Mexico | 15 years | 15 years, 6 months | 16 years, 6 months | Learner must log 50 hours of practice and hold permit for six months. No driving from midnight to 5am and no more than one passenger under age 21 for one year after receiving license. |
| New York | 16 years | 16 years, 6 months | 17 years (with Driver's education, otherwise 18) | Junior License holders residing in Downstate New York (excluding New York City) may drive only if attending a school event, employment, medical appointment, or if they are accompanied by a license holder over 21. Those residing in Upstate New York may drive without being accompanied. The driver may not drive at all in New York City with a Junior license. Those under 18 that pass a road test before a period of 6 months after obtaining a permit in Downstate New York receive a Limited Junior License and may not drive at all without being accompanied by a license holder over 21. Those residing in the Upstate Counties may drive only if attending a school event, employment, medical appointment, or if they are accompanied by a license holder over 21.
Driver's Education is not required in New York State and a 5-hour pre-licensing course may be used instead to qualify for a Junior License if under 18, those over 18 will automatically be eligible for a full license upon attending such a course. A Junior License will be automatically converted to a full license once the driver reaches 18. |
| North Carolina | 15 years | 16 years | 16 years, 6 months | Learner's permit must be held for six months before obtaining a restricted license; Restricted license holders cannot drive between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. unless attending a school event (including sporting events, school dances, school concerts etc.), employment or accompanied by license holder over 21. Certain restrictions still apply to persons under 18, regardless of whether or not they have a full license. |
| North Dakota[12] | 14 years | No GDL Laws | 14 years, 6 months | |
| Ohio[13] | 15 years, 6 months | 16 years | 18 years | Learner must log 50 practice hours and hold permit for six months, if under 18. Those who are 15 1/2 with a valid learners permit may only drive with a parent or a drivers education instructor with a valid driver license. Those who are 16 and over with a learners permit may drive with anyone who is over 21 with a valid driver license. Drivers under 18 must complete driver's education. 18 and over have no permit hold time, driver education or practice time requirements.
Under 17 either with a learner's permit or a driver license cannot drive between 12 a.m. and 6 a.m., under 18 either with a learner's permit or a driver license cannot drive between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m., unless accompanied by a parent or guardian. Drivers under 17 may only have one non-family member under the age of 21 in the car; no restrictions on family members or those over 21. 18 and over have full license privileges and have no time or passenger restrictions. |
| Oklahoma | 15 years, 6 months | 16 years | 16 years, 6 months | Learner must have 40 practice hours and hold permit for six months. Intermediate drivers cannot drive more than a single passenger of any age (family excluded) or drive between 11pm and 5am for the first six months or until age 18, whichever is sooner. A single traffic violation will extend the intermediate phase until the driver turns 18. |
| Oregon | 15 years | 16 years | 17 years | Learner must be 16, have had permit for one year, complete driver's education, and have 50 practice hours. Driving between midnight and 5am is prohibited during the first year of holding the license. No passengers under 20 for the first six months of being licensed (except family members.) For another six months, no more than three passengers under 20. Minors may not use any two way communication device. |
| Pennsylvania | 16 years | 16 years, 6 months | 17 years, 6 months (with perfect driving record for first year and drivers education course completion, if not, 18 years) | Those with a learner's permit must drive with an adult 21 years of age or older. The adult the learner's permit holder is driving with must have a valid driver's license in any U.S. state or the District of Columbia. Although not required, it is recommened that a permit holder doesn't only get practice driving in perfect conditions, but also with driving at night and driving in inclement weather. A classroom driver's education course must be taken by all 10th grade students in Pennsylvania, since that is the year when most students will turn 16 years old and will be getting their permit. Permit must be held for six months before issuance of restricted license. Those with a restricted license may not drive between 11pm and 5am without a passenger under the age of 21 for the first six months with perfect driving record and first 18 months if an accident caused by the restricted license holder occurs. Exceptions to this curfew include school-sponsered events, work, and volunteer firefighters. No passenger restrictions, other than the number of seatbelts may not be less than the number of passengers. [14] |
| Rhode Island | 16 years | 16 years, 6 months | 17 years, 6 months | Learner must hold permit for six months and have 50 practice hours. Junior operator under the age of 18 may not drive between the hours of 1am and 5am or carry more than one passenger under age 21 for one year or until they turn 18, whichever is sooner. |
| South Carolina | 15 years | 15 years, 6 months | 16 years, 6 months | - No driving between 6 PM and 6 AM during standard time, and 8 PM and 6 AM during DLST. A 16 year old may apply for a waiver to drive until midnight for transportation to and from work. Also, on a restricted license, only two passengers under 21 unless driving students to school until reaching age 16 years,6 months. |
| South Dakota[15] | 14 years | 14 years, 3 months (with driver's education, otherwise 14 years, 6 months) | 16 years | Learner can either take driver training and hold permit for three months or not take the course and hold permit for six months. Under 16 may not drive from 10pm to 6am. |
| Tennessee | 15 years | 16 years | 17 years | Learner must have permit for six months and log 50 hours of practice driving. No driving from 11pm to 5am or more than one passenger for one year or until reaching age 18, whichever is sooner. |
| Texas | 15 years | 16 years | 16 years, 6 months | Learner's must complete the classroom portion of driver training to receive a permit. Permit must be held for six months and learner must reach age 16 to get restricted license. Drivers with a restricted license may drive with no more than one other person under the age of 21, may not drive from midnight to 5am, and cannot use a cell phone while driving for the first 6 months. |
| Utah | 15 years | 16 years | 16 years, 6 months | Drivers under 17 may not drive between 12 AM and 5 AM. If under 18, must hold learner permit for six months and log 40 practice hours. Under 18, for the first six months no passengers that are not immediate family members; unless there is a licensed driver 21 years or older, or driver reaches age 18. |
| Vermont | 15 years | 16 years | 16 years, 6 months | Learner must hold permit for one year and log 40 practice hours. Junior operators may not carry any passengers (including siblings) for the first 90 days after receiving their license, and immediate family members only for the second three months (passenger restrictions are waived if accompanied by a parent or another licensed adult aged 25 or older.[16]) |
| Virginia | 15 years, 6 months | 16 years, 3 months | 18 years | - Learner must hold permit for nine months and log 45 supervised driving hours. Under 18 may not carry more than one minor passenger for the first year of being licensed and no more than three passengers until reaching age 18. All minors subject to a curfew between 12:00-4:00AM until reaching age 18. |
| Washington | 15 years | 16 years | 17 years (with perfect driving record for first year, or if not, 18 years) | Learner must reach age 16, hold permit for six months, and log 50 hours of practice driving. For the first 6 months, no driving with passengers under the age of 20 unless they are members of immediate family. For the next 6 months no driving with more than 3 passengers who are under 20 years old who are not members of the learner's immediate family. For the first year, no driving between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. unless with a licensed driver age 25 or older. After 2 violations of the restrictions, the driver's license is suspended for 6 months or until their 18th birthday (whichever is sooner). Also, a single traffic violation will extend the second phase (no more than three passengers under 20 and still no driving from 1am to 5am) until age 18 if license had not been held for one year before the traffic violation. |
| West Virginia | 15 years | 16 years | 17 years | Learner must reach age 16, hold permit for six months, and log 30 hours of practice or take driver education. No more than three passengers under age 19 or driving from 11pm to 5am for one year. |
| Wisconsin | 15 years, 6 months | 16 years | 16 years, 9 months | Learner must hold permit for six months and log 30 hours of practice. Passenger and nighttime driving restrictions removed after 9 months, or upon reaching the age of 18 whichever is sooner. License holder is subject to enhanced penalties until they have three years of experience, or reach the age of 21, whichever comes sooner. |
| Wyoming | 14 years, 6 months | 16 years | 16 years, 6 months | Learner must reach age 16 and log 50 practice hours. No more than one passenger under 18 or driving from 11pm to 5am for the first six months or until reaching age 17, whichever is sooner. |
In the past decade[when?], fewer teenagers are getting driver's licenses. According to a December 2, 2004 Los Angeles Times article, only 43% of American 15-, 16-, and 17-year-olds had licenses in 2002.[17] By comparison, the percentage in 1982 was 52%. The rate is even lower in some states (e.g., 9% in Missouri). The decrease in percentages are said[by whom?] to be due to the many restrictions that an average teen must face overall in order to obtain the licenses.
For example, in California, newly licensed minors must wait a year before they can drive with other minors in their car, and cannot drive during certain hours of the night due to California's youth curfew. Thus, a minor can only drive with his or her friends in the car for at most one year before the minor becomes an adult.
Many politicians[who?] have been campaigning to raise the driving age. All attempts have failed[citation needed] because parents argue[citation needed] that their children need to drive places to help out the family and that parents do not have time to drive their teens to all their social events. The chance of the driving age changing is very low[citation needed] as the GDL laws (effective in all states) have heavily reduced the crash rates of young drivers.[citation needed]
Driver's licenses issued in the United States have a number or alphanumeric code issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles (or equivalent), usually show a photograph of the bearer, as well as a copy of his or her signature, the address of his or her primary residence, the type or class of license, restrictions and/or endorsements (if any), the physical characteristics of the bearer (such as height, weight, hair color, eye color, and sometimes even skin color), and birth date. No two driver's license numbers issued by a state are alike. Social Security numbers are now prohibited by federal law from appearing on new driver's licenses, due to identity theft concerns. In some states the orientation of a provisional driver's license (for those under the age of 21) is vertical while a regular driver's license (for those over the age of 21) is horizontal. Most states require that when a driver establishes residence in a state, he or she must obtain a license issued by that state within a certain time frame.
Because there is no national identity card in the United States, the driver's license is often used as the de facto equivalent for completion of many common business and governmental transactions. As a result, driver's licenses are the focus of many kinds of identity theft. Driver's licenses were not always identification cards. Indeed, in many states, driver's licenses did not even have a photograph well into the 1980s. Activism by the Mothers Against Drunk Driving organization for the use of photo ID age verification in conjunction with increasing the drinking age to 21 in order to reduce underage drinking led to photographs being added to all state licenses. New York and Tennessee were the last states to add photos in 1986. However, New Jersey later allowed older drivers to get non-photo licenses; this was later revoked. Vermont license holders have the option of receiving a non-photo license. Later additions varied from state to state, and have included fingerprints, bar codes, magnetic strips, social security numbers and tamper-proof features, most of which were added to prevent identity theft and to curb the use of fake IDs. States have now slowly been converting to digitized driver's licenses, which incorporate holographs and bar codes to prevent forgery.
All states, usually through the same agency that issues driver's licenses, provide identification cards for people who do not drive. These typically resemble a driver's license and have the same security and identification features. They are commonly used by seniors (who are eligible for free cards in some states), students who choose not to drive, and people in large cities with comprehensive public transportation networks.
Additionally, some states, mostly those with an international border[citation needed], are issuing Enhanced Driver Licenses and Enhanced ID Cards. Enhanced licenses essentially combine a regular driver's license with the specifications of the new Federal passport card. Thus, in addition to proving driving privileges, the enhanced license also is proof of U.S. citizenship, and can therefore be used to cross the Canadian and Mexican borders by road, rail, or sea, although air travel will always require a traditional passport book due to International Civil Aviation Organization regulations.[18] The enhanced licenses are also fully Real ID compliant.
OnMarch 27, 2008, the Secretary of Homeland Security announced that Washington's enhanced driver's license[19] was the first such license approved under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative;[20] according to a Homeland Security press release, the department is also working with Arizona and Vermont authorities to develop enhanced driver's licenses.[21]OnSeptember 16, 2008, New York began issuing Enhanced Drivers Licenses that meet WHTI requirements. Texas was expected to also implement an enhanced driver's license program, but the program has been blocked by Texas Gov. Rick Perry, despite a state law authorizing the Texas Department of Public Safety to issue EDLs and a ruling by the state attorney general, Greg Abbott, that Texas' production of EDLs would comply with federal requirements.[22][23]
