In almost every case, no—you cannot hold a state ID and a driver’s license at the same time. Federal law prohibits carrying two REAL ID–compliant credentials, and most states independently bar residents from holding both documents regardless of REAL ID status.1eCFR. 6 CFR 37.29 – Prohibition Against Holding More Than One REAL ID Card or More Than One Driver’s License The principle behind the rule is straightforward: one person, one government-issued identity credential. Your driver’s license already works as a photo ID, so a separate state ID card for the same person would be a duplicate record.
What Federal Law Says
The controlling regulation is 6 CFR § 37.29, part of the REAL ID framework administered by the Department of Homeland Security. It says an individual cannot hold a REAL ID driver’s license and a REAL ID identification card at the same time.1eCFR. 6 CFR 37.29 – Prohibition Against Holding More Than One REAL ID Card or More Than One Driver’s License The regulation includes one carve-out that most people miss: “Nothing shall preclude an individual from holding a REAL ID card and a non-REAL ID card unless prohibited by his or her State.”
So federal law only blocks two REAL ID–compliant documents. In theory, you could carry a REAL ID driver’s license alongside a non-REAL ID state ID, or the reverse. In practice, most states don’t allow that combination either, which makes the federal exception largely academic.
Why Most States Ban Both
Set the REAL ID regulation aside and the answer usually doesn’t change. Nearly every state treats a driver’s license and a state ID card as two versions of the same credential. Apply for one, surrender the other.
The reasoning is practical. State motor vehicle agencies keep a single identity record per person. Two active photo IDs for the same individual open doors to fraud, complicate law enforcement database checks, and make it harder to keep addresses and other details current. Your driver’s license already is your state-issued ID. The state ID card exists specifically for people who don’t drive or can’t drive; it carries the same name, date of birth, address, photo, and signature without granting driving privileges.
You Also Can’t Hold Credentials in Two States
The Driver License Compact is an interstate agreement among most states that coordinates driver records across state lines. One of its core principles is “one driver, one license,” which requires you to surrender any out-of-state license when you apply for a new one.2Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Driver License Compact Frequently Asked Questions Member states share conviction records, suspension data, and licensing information, so duplicate credentials in different jurisdictions get caught.
The same philosophy extends to state ID cards. When you apply for any credential in a new state, agencies can see what you already hold elsewhere. Trying to keep an active license in one state while picking up a state ID in another will get flagged.
Switching From a License to a State ID
If you stop driving, whether for medical reasons, a suspension, or personal choice, you can convert your driver’s license to a state ID card at your local DMV. You surrender the license, provide standard identity documents, and pay a fee. Your driving privileges end when you make the switch.
The documentation is the same you’d need for any state-issued credential: proof of identity such as a birth certificate or passport, your Social Security number, and documents showing your current address.3USAGov. How to Get a REAL ID and Use It for Travel If you later decide to drive again, you’ll apply for a new license, surrender the state ID, and possibly retake a driving test depending on how long you’ve gone without a license.
Switching From a State ID to a License
Going the other direction, you surrender the ID card and meet your state’s licensing requirements. For most adults who previously held a license, that means identity documents, a vision screening, and a licensing fee. If your previous license expired years ago or was revoked, you may need to pass both a written knowledge test and a behind-the-wheel exam.
Either direction, the point is the same: you walk out of the DMV with one credential. The old document gets collected or cancelled in the system.
What If Your License Is Suspended
License suspension is one of the more common reasons people look into getting a state ID. If your driving privileges are suspended, you still need a way to prove your identity for everyday tasks. Most states allow you to apply for a state ID card during a suspension, since your license isn’t valid for identification purposes anyway. In some states, the DMV automatically offers this option when processing the suspension.
Getting a state ID during a suspension doesn’t preserve any driving privileges. When your suspension ends and you’re eligible to reinstate, you’ll surrender the state ID and go through the reinstatement process, which typically involves fees and possibly required courses or exams.
REAL ID Doesn’t Change the Answer
Since May 7, 2025, you need a REAL ID–compliant driver’s license or state ID card, or another acceptable document like a passport, to board domestic flights and enter certain federal facilities.4Transportation Security Administration. REAL ID Cards without a gold or black star in the upper corner won’t get you through a TSA checkpoint on their own. Upgrading doesn’t create a second credential; the REAL ID replaces your existing card. The rule against holding both a license and an ID still applies.1eCFR. 6 CFR 37.29 – Prohibition Against Holding More Than One REAL ID Card or More Than One Driver’s License