4 ms·

I didn't realize that "over the counter" delivery of drivers licenses was not the normal method. When I get a new driver's license at the DMV, I go to a self se

I didn't realize that "over the counter" delivery of drivers licenses was not the normal method. When I get a new driver's license at the DMV, I go to a self serve kiosk, have my picture taken, then walk over to a room and my license is already printed by the time I get there. They have 3 massive card printers (imagine a laser printer, but 6 ft/182.88 cm long). It event prints a pseudo-hologram. I have to surrender my old license to the person in the room. How does that work if your license is mailed to you? Do you get to keep the old one? (Delaware)

Feathercrown 18d ago
I got a temporary license and received the real one in the mail later. Yes, you can keep the old one.
- waltbosz 17d ago
  What's the temporary license printed on? Standard paper? My licenses have always been printed on a plastic card, but I remember seeing older licenses that were basically laminated photo paper.
  - DaSHacka 17d ago
    In the states I've lived in, its a piece of paper you keep in your wallet alongside your previous DL/permit that's now been hole-punched. You use both together to serve as your proof of authority to drive if you get pulled over. Of course, only until the real DL arrives in the mail, which usually takes a week or two.
thaeli 18d ago
How it works in my state: For in person renewals/changes, they punch VOID into your old license, give it back to you, and give you a temporary license printout. Then your new license is mailed a couple weeks later. For remote renewals/replacements, they just give you a temporary license to print out and then mail you a new one. The old license never gets physically cancelled.
beej71 18d ago
I lost my old one, so ordered a replacement. Later I found the lost one, so I have two... The number is different, though, so I'm sure the old one is invalidated in the database. (Oregon)
- waltbosz 17d ago
  If we lose ours, they reprint it with the same expiration date as the lost one, but the new one has "DUPLICATE 1" printed on it (presumably that 1 is a counter). But our drivers license number stays the same for life.

Feathercrown 18d ago

I got a temporary license and received the real one in the mail later. Yes, you can keep the old one.

waltbosz 17d ago
What's the temporary license printed on? Standard paper? My licenses have always been printed on a plastic card, but I remember seeing older licenses that were basically laminated photo paper.
- DaSHacka 17d ago
  In the states I've lived in, its a piece of paper you keep in your wallet alongside your previous DL/permit that's now been hole-punched. You use both together to serve as your proof of authority to drive if you get pulled over. Of course, only until the real DL arrives in the mail, which usually takes a week or two.

thaeli 18d ago

How it works in my state: For in person renewals/changes, they punch VOID into your old license, give it back to you, and give you a temporary license printout. Then your new license is mailed a couple weeks later. For remote renewals/replacements, they just give you a temporary license to print out and then mail you a new one. The old license never gets physically cancelled.

beej71 18d ago

I lost my old one, so ordered a replacement. Later I found the lost one, so I have two... The number is different, though, so I'm sure the old one is invalidated in the database. (Oregon)

waltbosz 17d ago
If we lose ours, they reprint it with the same expiration date as the lost one, but the new one has "DUPLICATE 1" printed on it (presumably that 1 is a counter). But our drivers license number stays the same for life.