What state was first to issue a driver licenses

Lost titles, lost plates, registration and now Drivers Licenses in June ! With more cars appearing on the roads, the fear of incompetent drivers began to increase. Rhode Island recognized this issue, and in began requiring drivers to pass a test before they could obtain their license. Although exams were not required in Washington state until , when the state began issuing driver's licenses in , it required two signatures to certify that the candidate was able to drive safely.

The last state to require drivers to pass a driving exam was South Dakota in What is the History of the Driver's License? First Driver's Licenses. Early Safety Concerns. Driving Examinations. However, it took several decades for licenses and tests to be adopted by all states. South Dakota was the last state to begin issuing licenses without exams , in Getting a license was long considered a rite of passage for many American teenagers; however, in recent years the number of young people who are legal to drive has declined.

Among 16 year olds, less than 25 percent had licenses in , down from about 46 percent in Once your driver license has been issued, you will receive a temporary driver license.

Before leaving the driver license office, review the printed information on your temporary driver license for accuracy. If any of the information is incorrect, notify the License and Permit Specialist. Your new card will arrive in the mail in approximately 2 — 3 weeks.

To check the mailing status of your card, visit our mailing status web page. Note: If you hold an identification card, you are no longer eligible to apply for a driver license unless you surrender your identification card at the time of application.

You will need to provide proof of the following to apply for a driver license: U. Citizenship or, if you are not a U. Registration must be current.