# Do billionaires maintain a driver's license? If yes, do they have to go to the DMV like everyone else to renew them? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 5, 2026, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-billionaires-maintain-a-drivers-license-if-yes-do-they-have-to-go-to-the-dmv-like-everyone-else-to-renew-them/1029052 "2026-04-05T21:42:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2026, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-billionaires-maintain-a-drivers-license-if-yes-do-they-have-to-go-to-the-dmv-like-everyone-else-to-renew-them/1029052/1 "2026-04-05T21:42:49Z")
Title kinda says it all. I am thinking the likes of Jeff Bezos or Bill Gates simply do not drive anymore. Someone drives them and that person is likely a body guard with training in evasive driving (or whatever you call it) in case someone tries to attack or kidnap them. I gotta say though, even if I was a billionaire, I’d still want to drive sometimes. I like driving. Not always but I would miss it if I could never do it again. So, are there any special ways for very famous people to get a driver’s license or do they have to stand in line at the DMV like everyone else and hope they don’t get mobbed (not violently…just attract a lot of unwanted attention)? ---
**Author:** ![dolphinboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dolphinboy/32/330_2.png) [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2026, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-billionaires-maintain-a-drivers-license-if-yes-do-they-have-to-go-to-the-dmv-like-everyone-else-to-renew-them/1029052/2 "2026-04-05T22:48:54Z")
I think it depends what state they to live in, but for the most part unless they have to appear in person, for example to get photographed for a new license, they pay people to handle these things for them. If they do have to visit a DMV in person, AIUI there are special accommodations provided, such as after-hours access and a back door entrance, so they can get in and out quickly without being seen by the general public. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2026, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-billionaires-maintain-a-drivers-license-if-yes-do-they-have-to-go-to-the-dmv-like-everyone-else-to-renew-them/1029052/3 "2026-04-05T23:34:26Z")
I only know one billionaire personally. He waits in line like the rest of us. One good thing about Washington State, you don’t have to go in every four years for a new photo and can just renew online. I don’t know how many times you can do that, but I haven’t been to the DMV in a long time. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2026, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-billionaires-maintain-a-drivers-license-if-yes-do-they-have-to-go-to-the-dmv-like-everyone-else-to-renew-them/1029052/4 "2026-04-05T23:50:01Z")
I remember a video from years ago showing Kim Kardashian at the DMV (with her own makeup and lighting crew), but when I went looking for it now, I noticed that the DMV is clearly closed while she’s there. I mean, Kardashians are gonna Kardashian, and if she went to during normal operating hours, I’m sure they wouldn’t let her do all that. > [@dolphinboy](#): > > there are special accommodations provided, such as after-hours access I can see how it might be easier for everyone involved to have certain, what, ‘less’ down-to-earth celebs coming in outside of regular operating hours rather than causing a scene (even if they’re just standing in line and acting like a normal person). In any case, I’m going to WAG that, assuming it’s someone they’re willing to do this for, they make them pay a fee to cover the OT and any other expenses. Reminds me of one of the few scenes from the show Nurses that I remember. The nurses are talking about how bad their DL pictures are. Loni Anderson shows hers, done with a professional makeup artist and lighting. In any case, here’s the KK DMV clip [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/WrO47IWj5Wc/maxresdefault.jpg "Kim Kardashian Gets GLAM at the DMV for Driver's License Photo | E! News") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WrO47IWj5Wc) ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2026, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-billionaires-maintain-a-drivers-license-if-yes-do-they-have-to-go-to-the-dmv-like-everyone-else-to-renew-them/1029052/5 "2026-04-05T23:56:16Z")
The can just go to AAA and renew there. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2026, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-billionaires-maintain-a-drivers-license-if-yes-do-they-have-to-go-to-the-dmv-like-everyone-else-to-renew-them/1029052/6 "2026-04-06T00:02:10Z")
> [@dolphinboy](#): > > AIUI there are special accommodations provided, such as after-hours access and a back door entrance, so they can get in and out quickly without being seen by the general public. Unless you want a cheeseburger at Dick’s. Then you stand in the same line as everyone else. [![](https://cdn.geekwire.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/gatesdicks1-944x1260.png) ](https://cdn.geekwire.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/gatesdicks1-944x1260.png) ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2026, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-billionaires-maintain-a-drivers-license-if-yes-do-they-have-to-go-to-the-dmv-like-everyone-else-to-renew-them/1029052/7 "2026-04-06T00:03:47Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > I only know one billionaire personally. He waits in line like the rest of us. That’s probably the most typical answer. I don’t know any billionaires, but the very wealthy people I have met are self made workaholics, who don’t flaunt their status. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2026, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-billionaires-maintain-a-drivers-license-if-yes-do-they-have-to-go-to-the-dmv-like-everyone-else-to-renew-them/1029052/8 "2026-04-06T00:05:33Z")
When i worked at the original Tommy’s politicians and celebrities stood in line with cops, gangbangers and others. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2026, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-billionaires-maintain-a-drivers-license-if-yes-do-they-have-to-go-to-the-dmv-like-everyone-else-to-renew-them/1029052/9 "2026-04-06T00:06:23Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > When i worked at the original Tommy’s politicians and celebrities stood in line with cops, gangbangers and others At my first job working at a Boston Market in San Diego about 25 years ago I once served lunch to Ken Shamrock and his family. He drove a vintage pink Cadillac. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2026, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-billionaires-maintain-a-drivers-license-if-yes-do-they-have-to-go-to-the-dmv-like-everyone-else-to-renew-them/1029052/10 "2026-04-06T00:15:13Z")
Of course, most billionaires aren’t celebrities or known by the general public. So mostly they are not going to be bothered by others. ---
**Author:** ![echoreply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/echoreply/32/3641_2.png) [@echoreply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/echoreply)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2026, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-billionaires-maintain-a-drivers-license-if-yes-do-they-have-to-go-to-the-dmv-like-everyone-else-to-renew-them/1029052/11 "2026-04-06T00:19:02Z")
I think there is going to be a big difference between celebrity and non-celebrity billionaires. Personal anecdote: The billionaire family that I seem to visit about once per decade, are by planning and design very anonymous. They almost always drive themselves, and are indistinguishable from upper middle class orthodontists parking themselves at the DMV in a $150,000 Porsche. They do many billionaire kind of things, like a palatial house, private jet, domestic help, extravagant parties, and _much_ more expensive Porsches, but don’t even think twice about driving themselves to wherever they need to go. They definitely maintain driver’s licenses, and are so devoted to self-driving, that they keep cars at their non-primary residences. I can’t comment on whether they go to the DMV themselves, but if that’s what’s required to renew a license, then that is what they’ll do. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2026, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-billionaires-maintain-a-drivers-license-if-yes-do-they-have-to-go-to-the-dmv-like-everyone-else-to-renew-them/1029052/12 "2026-04-06T00:24:43Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > The can just go to AAA and renew there. This is limited not only by state but by certain locations within the state. Check locally if you want to try this. ---
**Author:** ![F.U.Shakespeare](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/aca169/32.png) [@F.U.Shakespeare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/F.U.Shakespeare)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2026, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-billionaires-maintain-a-drivers-license-if-yes-do-they-have-to-go-to-the-dmv-like-everyone-else-to-renew-them/1029052/13 "2026-04-06T02:18:42Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Of course, most billionaires aren’t celebrities or known by the general public. So mostly they are not going to be bothered by others. This. I wonder how many people under 40 years old would recognize Bill Gates. I remember around 20 years ago when Bob Dylan was challenged at a concert venue by one of his security guys. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2026, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-billionaires-maintain-a-drivers-license-if-yes-do-they-have-to-go-to-the-dmv-like-everyone-else-to-renew-them/1029052/14 "2026-04-06T03:56:30Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > This is limited not only by state but by certain locations within the state Good point. ---
**Author:** ![dorvann](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/df705f/32.png) [@dorvann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dorvann)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2026, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-billionaires-maintain-a-drivers-license-if-yes-do-they-have-to-go-to-the-dmv-like-everyone-else-to-renew-them/1029052/15 "2026-04-06T04:00:20Z")
> [@F.U.Shakespeare](#): > > I wonder how many people under 40 years old would recognize Bill Gates. Everyone in the USA knows The Walton Family that owns Wal-Mart is the wealthiest family in the country but I doubt most people would EVEN recognize any of them ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2026, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-billionaires-maintain-a-drivers-license-if-yes-do-they-have-to-go-to-the-dmv-like-everyone-else-to-renew-them/1029052/16 "2026-04-06T04:02:18Z")
> [@dorvann](#): > > Everyone in the USA knows The Walton Family Only if they started to say “Good night John Boy, etc” 🤪 ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2026, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-billionaires-maintain-a-drivers-license-if-yes-do-they-have-to-go-to-the-dmv-like-everyone-else-to-renew-them/1029052/17 "2026-04-06T05:03:34Z")
I’ll let you know the next time I’m up for renewal. 🤣 (Right after I inherit my billions or hit the Powerball) ---
**Author:** ![Noelq](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/noelq/32/16438_2.png) [@Noelq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Noelq)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2026, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-billionaires-maintain-a-drivers-license-if-yes-do-they-have-to-go-to-the-dmv-like-everyone-else-to-renew-them/1029052/18 "2026-04-07T16:25:16Z")
There are definitely “boutique” DMV locations, where private appointments can be scheduled and carried out for elite clientele. In California, there’s a DMV office in the legislature’s (?) offices that is meant for government officials, but can be accessed by the public if you know about it. ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2026, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-billionaires-maintain-a-drivers-license-if-yes-do-they-have-to-go-to-the-dmv-like-everyone-else-to-renew-them/1029052/19 "2026-04-07T16:48:20Z")
Steve Jobs famously had a deal with a dealership where he traded in his car for the same model (Porsche or Mercedes) every 6 months or so. At least at the time it avoided him having to get a license plate and therefore deal with the DMV for non-DL reasons. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2026, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-billionaires-maintain-a-drivers-license-if-yes-do-they-have-to-go-to-the-dmv-like-everyone-else-to-renew-them/1029052/20 "2026-04-07T19:45:33Z")
That’s pretty wacky or a UL. In all the states I’ve lived there are commercial services that will get your plates for you. They go stand in line; you don’t. And that’s priced for ordinary schlubs, not billionaires with “people”. DLs are in-person only because only you can have your picture taken or your eyes or knowledge tested. A flunky can’t stand in for you for those tasks. Registrations, titles, etc.? No problem; a flunky with a suitable power of attorney is all that’s needed. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-billionaires-maintain-a-drivers-license-if-yes-do-they-have-to-go-to-the-dmv-like-everyone-else-to-renew-them/1029052.md?page=2)