# REAL-ID driver license question: New license number? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 26, 2019, 9:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-id-driver-license-question-new-license-number/844007 "2019-11-26T09:22:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2019, 9:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-id-driver-license-question-new-license-number/844007/1 "2019-11-26T09:22:00Z")
This post, from an unrelated thread, caught one or more of my eyeballs: > [@Do you write your name on your stuff?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-write-your-name-on-your-stuff/843958/8): > > I use to engrave my driver’s license number on power tools and other expensive stuff I own. This saved me once when I had a generator stolen. The pawn shop that had it didn’t like it but then had to give it back to me. The only problem with this is I recently updated my license to an enhanced driver’s license. The driver’s license number that I have had for the past 46 years is no more. I have lots of engraving to do now. Questions for those who have gotten your Real ID license: (1) In your state, do you generally keep the same driver license number year after year forever? (2) When you got your Real ID, did you get a new driver license number? (I’m especially interested in the answer to Question 2 in California.) I’ve had the same DL number since 1968, and it appears to be a surprisingly low number (just 4 digits, \< 2000, not counting leading zero digits). ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2019, 11:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-id-driver-license-question-new-license-number/844007/2 "2019-11-26T11:24:40Z")
In MA: 1. Yes 2. No, my wife just got her RealID last month and no change. ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2019, 11:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-id-driver-license-question-new-license-number/844007/3 "2019-11-26T11:31:34Z")
> [@Senegoid](#): > > Questions for those who have gotten your Real ID license: > (1) In your state, do you generally keep the same driver license number year after year forever? > (2) When you got your Real ID, did you get a new driver license number? I’ve had the same DL# for 30 years, despite my license having been reissued in four different states. This includes recently having received my RealID-compliant DL with the same number. ---
**Author:** ![Bear\_Nenno](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bear_nenno/32/3358_2.png) [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2019, 11:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-id-driver-license-question-new-license-number/844007/4 "2019-11-26T11:51:13Z")
> [@Machine\_Elf](#): > > I’ve had the same DL# for 30 years, despite my license having been reissued in four different states. This includes recently having received my RealID-compliant DL with the same number. 4 different states used the same numbering convention? Which states were they, if you don’t mind sharing? ---
**Author:** ![MindsEye\_Watering](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mindseye_watering/32/3619_2.png) [@MindsEye\_Watering](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MindsEye_Watering)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2019, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-id-driver-license-question-new-license-number/844007/5 "2019-11-26T12:43:59Z")
In GA: 1. Yes 2. No ---
**Author:** ![Fleetwood](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fleetwood/32/271_2.png) [@Fleetwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fleetwood)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2019, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-id-driver-license-question-new-license-number/844007/6 "2019-11-26T12:54:07Z")
> [@Telemark](#): > > In MA: > > 1. Yes > > 2. No, my wife just got her RealID last month and no change. Number One was not always true. MA used to use SSN as license number. ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2019, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-id-driver-license-question-new-license-number/844007/7 "2019-11-26T12:57:23Z")
> [@Bear\_Nenno](#): > > 4 different states used the same numbering convention? Which states were they, if you don’t mind sharing? North Dakota, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. [This guy](https://stevemorse.org/dl/dl.html) shows that Michigan and Minnesota used to have the same numbering convention (although MN changed to something different in '05; my MN license predated that change). They come up with a different number for Wisconsin, but that sure doesn’t match my memory. Possibly there was a change at some point (the last time I had a WI DL was 20+ years ago)? [Here’s all the states’ DL numbering schemes.](https://ntsi.com/drivers-license-format/) They’re showing WI and ND as being different, so maybe I am indeed remembering them wrong. New brainfart: maybe I never had a ND DL? I was a college student at the time, so it’s likely I kept my MN license. Sorry for confidently reporting information in my previous post that was very likely wrong, at least as regards ND and WI. But I’ll stand by MN and MI having had the same scheme, and my current RealID-compliant DL (acquired about a year ago) has the same # it’s had for a couple of decades now. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2019, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-id-driver-license-question-new-license-number/844007/8 "2019-11-26T13:05:44Z")
Our state used to use SSNs for DL#s :eek:. And not that long ago. They then switched over to their own numbering system and it’s been consistent since. ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2019, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-id-driver-license-question-new-license-number/844007/9 "2019-11-26T13:10:18Z")
1. Yes 2. No I don’t see why they had to change your number just because they changed the licensing format. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2019, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-id-driver-license-question-new-license-number/844007/10 "2019-11-26T13:17:16Z")
Maryland. 1. Yes 2. No My driver’s license number has been the same since it was first issued to me about 4 or 5 renewals ago. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2019, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-id-driver-license-question-new-license-number/844007/11 "2019-11-26T13:22:10Z")
I"m glad someone asked about Real ID, as I have another question. Is your old driver’s license sufficient proof of identity and residence for a born-in-the-USA citizen? Or do I need to bring my birth certificate, SS card, a utility bill from my current address, and affidavits showing my cats’ hat sizes? ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2019, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-id-driver-license-question-new-license-number/844007/12 "2019-11-26T13:31:44Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > I"m glad someone asked about Real ID, as I have another question. Is your old driver’s license sufficient proof of identity and residence for a born-in-the-USA citizen? Or do I need to bring my birth certificate, SS card, a utility bill from my current address, and affidavits showing my cats’ hat sizes? When I went, in Maryland, I don’t think my old license counted. IIRC I took my passport, SS card, car insurance card, and my car’s registration. ---
**Author:** ![guizot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guizot/32/3636_2.png) [@guizot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/guizot)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2019, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-id-driver-license-question-new-license-number/844007/13 "2019-11-26T13:33:18Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > . . . and affidavits showing my cats’ hat sizes? Signed by your cat, no less. ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2019, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-id-driver-license-question-new-license-number/844007/14 "2019-11-26T13:39:19Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > I"m glad someone asked about Real ID, as I have another question. Is your old driver’s license sufficient proof of identity and residence for a born-in-the-USA citizen? Or do I need to bring my birth certificate, SS card, a utility bill from my current address, and affidavits showing my cats’ hat sizes? Check your state’s DMV website for the straightest dope. For Michigan, in addition to your old license, you’ll need a valid passport, certified birth certificate (with raised seal), or “approved citizenship or legal presence document.” ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2019, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-id-driver-license-question-new-license-number/844007/15 "2019-11-26T13:49:48Z")
I noticed something in the OP quote: that poster refered to an [Enhanced Driver’s License](https://www.dhs.gov/enhanced-drivers-licenses-what-are-they). That is actually its own thing, different from a Real-ID Compliant DL. As to the answers: 1. Yes 2. No and yeah, you do need independent proof of citizenship/domicile to be issued a Real\_ID compliant license. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2019, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-id-driver-license-question-new-license-number/844007/16 "2019-11-26T13:56:02Z")
> [@Fleetwood](#): > > Number One was not always true. MA used to use SSN as license number. The federal law banning the use of SSN for driver’s licenses was passed in 2005. I’m pretty sure MA stopped using them before that, so it’s been around 20 years. The last states dropped using SSN soon after 2005, so for some it’s been less than 15 years. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2019, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-id-driver-license-question-new-license-number/844007/17 "2019-11-26T14:03:10Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > When I went, in Maryland, I don’t think my old license counted. IIRC I took my passport, SS card, car insurance card, and my car’s registration. > [@Machine\_Elf](#): > > Check your state’s DMV website for the straightest dope. For Michigan, in addition to your old license, you’ll need a valid passport, certified birth certificate (with raised seal), or “approved citizenship or legal presence document.” I don’t have a passport. I did read the local DMV website, but it didn’t answer my questions. Y’all did. I’d best root around for that birth certificate. > [@guizot](#): > > Signed by your cat, no less. My cats measure each other’s hat sizes and then swear each other in. Both are notaries. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2019, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-id-driver-license-question-new-license-number/844007/18 "2019-11-26T14:22:00Z")
I’ve had an Illinois driver’s license for 30 years, and have had the same number all along. When I moved here from Wisconsin in '89, I was given a different number (though of a similar format) than the one I’d had in Wisconsin; as the site that Machine Elf shared, WI license numbers have two more digits than IL numbers do. ---
**Author:** ![Bumbershoot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bumbershoot/32/3428_2.png) [@Bumbershoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bumbershoot)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2019, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-id-driver-license-question-new-license-number/844007/19 "2019-11-26T14:36:41Z")
> [@Senegoid](#): > > Questions for those who have gotten your Real ID license: > (1) In your state, do you generally keep the same driver license number year after year forever? > (2) When you got your Real ID, did you get a new driver license number? > > (I’m especially interested in the answer to Question 2 in California.) > > I’ve had the same DL number since 1968, and it appears to be a surprisingly low number (just 4 digits, \< 2000, not counting leading zero digits). In New Mexico: 1. Yes 2. No > [@ThelmaLou](#): > > I"m glad someone asked about Real ID, as I have another question. Is your old driver’s license sufficient proof of identity and residence for a born-in-the-USA citizen? Or do I need to bring my birth certificate, SS card, a utility bill from my current address, and affidavits showing my cats’ hat sizes? When my mom went to get her Real ID, the birth certificate wasn’t enough because it had her maiden name. We had to go home and get her marriage license (along with the birth certificate) to confirm her married name. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2019, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-id-driver-license-question-new-license-number/844007/20 "2019-11-26T14:46:28Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > I don’t have a passport. I did read the local DMV website, but it didn’t answer my questions. Y’all did. I’d best root around for that birth certificate. Like **DCnDC** , I’m in Maryland. I had to get my RealID DL early this year. I can’t remember whether they sent me a letter telling me what I needed, or if I looked it up on the website, or both, but the instructions were quite clear. I don’t currently have a valid passport, but other IDs (can’t remember which) sufficed. But I did need a birth certificate - thought I had one in the safe deposit box, but no such luck. Since I was born in Los Angeles, I had to order birth certificates from them, which took a few weeks. (And yes, I ordered extras to stash in the safe deposit box.) > [@DCnDC](#): > > My driver’s license number has been the same since it was first issued to me about 4 or 5 renewals ago. Being the math geek I am, I remember numbers pretty well. I can rattle off the 16 digits of my Visa card, plus the expiration date and that extra 3-digit code, because I use them frequently. But if I’m not actually looking at my DL, I have no idea what the number is, because I never use it for anything. I’d have no idea whether it’s the same number it’s always been (I assume it is, based on your experience), or whether it’s something totally different. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-id-driver-license-question-new-license-number/844007.md?page=2)