# Why are driver’s licenses valid across state lines but not hunting and fishing licenses? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 23, 2022, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-driver-s-licenses-valid-across-state-lines-but-not-hunting-and-fishing-licenses/963336 "2022-04-23T23:59:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Nars\_Glinley](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nars_glinley/32/8177_2.png) [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2022, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-driver-s-licenses-valid-across-state-lines-but-not-hunting-and-fishing-licenses/963336/1 "2022-04-23T23:59:57Z")
I can drive anywhere in the US with my Oklahoma DL but if I want to fish in Texas, I have to buy a license. My Oklahoma fishing license is useless there. Is there some federal law that requires each state to recognize each other’s DL’s or is it just an accepted practice? ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Bravo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_bravo/32/493_2.png) [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2022, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-driver-s-licenses-valid-across-state-lines-but-not-hunting-and-fishing-licenses/963336/2 "2022-04-24T00:11:06Z")
It’s an [interstate compact.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Driver_License_Compact) It would be an absolute regulatory and enforcement nightmare if every driver needed a license for every state they wanted to visit. ---
**Author:** ![Nars\_Glinley](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nars_glinley/32/8177_2.png) [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2022, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-driver-s-licenses-valid-across-state-lines-but-not-hunting-and-fishing-licenses/963336/3 "2022-04-24T00:15:23Z")
There must be more to it than that since the link mentions 3 or 4 states that aren’t members of the compact. I agree wholeheartedly with the second part. ---
**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 24, 2022, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-driver-s-licenses-valid-across-state-lines-but-not-hunting-and-fishing-licenses/963336/4 "2022-04-24T00:16:39Z")
> [@Johnny\_Bravo](#): > > It would be an absolute regulatory and enforcement nightmare if every driver needed a license for every state they wanted to visit. And with that, I would wager the differences involved in hunting or fishing are so location dependent they need each hunter/fisher to understand the rules in place in that jurisdiction. Besides, aren’t hunting and fishing licenses, at least in part, to help keep the animal population from being over hunted/over fished? You wouldn’t be able to prevent that if you have people showing up and hunting/fishing with out of state licenses. ---
**Author:** ![Banksiaman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/banksiaman/32/3334_2.png) [@Banksiaman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banksiaman)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2022, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-driver-s-licenses-valid-across-state-lines-but-not-hunting-and-fishing-licenses/963336/5 "2022-04-24T00:18:16Z")
Not my jurisdiction, so guessing here, but would right to travel and movement be a common law [or US equivalent] basic right, so it is continuous across state borders and all a state can do is to regulate or vary it in detail, versus control of natural resources generally being vested at a state level so permits in one jurisdiction have no effect in any other state? ---
**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 24, 2022, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-driver-s-licenses-valid-across-state-lines-but-not-hunting-and-fishing-licenses/963336/6 "2022-04-24T00:24:36Z")
The right To travel means you can freely move from state to state. It doesn’t have anything to do with the privilege to drive from one state to another. Conflating Freedom Of Movement with driving a car gets into sovereign citizen territory. ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2022, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-driver-s-licenses-valid-across-state-lines-but-not-hunting-and-fishing-licenses/963336/7 "2022-04-24T00:36:14Z")
One could argue the Full Faith and Credit clause in the U.S. Constitution. But then every other form of license (professional, concealed carry, etc) would be valid in all states as well. Requiring a DL for every state would be a bigger logistic headache than anything else. ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2022, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-driver-s-licenses-valid-across-state-lines-but-not-hunting-and-fishing-licenses/963336/8 "2022-04-24T00:38:59Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > Besides, aren’t hunting and fishing licenses, at least in part, to help keep the animal population from being over hunted/over fished? Also, a big chunk of the license fees go towards Game & Fish Department activities. If your driver’s license fees went towards road construction and maintenance like fuel taxes do, I imagine you _might_ be able to drive in the state with another state’s license but have to pony up a fee at the border. ---
**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 24, 2022, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-driver-s-licenses-valid-across-state-lines-but-not-hunting-and-fishing-licenses/963336/9 "2022-04-24T00:43:02Z")
> [@pkbites](#): > > One could argue the Full Faith and Credit clause in the U.S. Constitution. I was thinking the Commerce Clause (giving Congress the right “to regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes”). ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2022, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-driver-s-licenses-valid-across-state-lines-but-not-hunting-and-fishing-licenses/963336/10 "2022-04-24T00:50:41Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > Besides, aren’t hunting and fishing licenses, at least in part, to help keep the animal population from being over hunted/over fished? They are also a source of revenue for the local government. ETA: Ninja’d Anyway, may as well add in the fact that the states don’t _have_ to honor other state’s licenses, they just find it most convenient to their own residents to do so. No state is going to drop out, as that would mean their residents wouldn’t be able to drive elsewhere. I could imagine a scenario where a state has such lax standards that its licensee isn’t honored in other states, but I don’t anticipate that actually happening. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2022, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-driver-s-licenses-valid-across-state-lines-but-not-hunting-and-fishing-licenses/963336/11 "2022-04-24T01:02:36Z")
FWIW, California and Nevada have a reciprocal agreement for border lakes. For example, a California _or_ a Nevada fishing license will allow you to fish anywhere on Lake Tahoe. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2022, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-driver-s-licenses-valid-across-state-lines-but-not-hunting-and-fishing-licenses/963336/12 "2022-04-24T01:36:55Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > I could imagine a scenario where a state has such lax standards that its licensee isn’t honored in other states, but I don’t anticipate that actually happening. I suppose one scenario would be if a state decided to change to driving on the left side of the road - probably something so confusing that everyone would need to take a road test and learn the new left-side rules all over again. When my wife graduated college (some decades ago, I don’t know whether it’s changed) Missouri recognized her Ohio teacher’s certification, but Ohio didn’t recognize her Missouri certifications. My mother had to take a nursing certification test in every state she practiced. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Bravo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_bravo/32/493_2.png) [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2022, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-driver-s-licenses-valid-across-state-lines-but-not-hunting-and-fishing-licenses/963336/13 "2022-04-24T01:42:46Z")
> [@Kent\_Clark](#): > > When my wife graduated college (some decades ago, I don’t know whether it’s changed) Missouri recognized her Ohio teacher’s certification, but Ohio didn’t recognize her Missouri certifications. Teacher certification reciprocity is wildly variable since credentialing requirements and curriculum standards (and codes of conduct, etc etc) are also highly variable. ---
**Author:** ![Dallas\_Jones](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dallas_jones/32/3277_2.png) [@Dallas\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dallas_Jones)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2022, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-driver-s-licenses-valid-across-state-lines-but-not-hunting-and-fishing-licenses/963336/14 "2022-04-24T03:13:17Z")
The fees from hunting and fishing licenses are used to enhance habitat for the wildlife in the local state and support the agencies that manage them. That is why out-of-state license and tag fees can be very expensive. There isn’t really a federal program to support what each state needs. Each state has fish and game commissions who are managing the wildlife. And at least in my state of Oregon the tags you apply for and win are based upon a certain points system. If you are trying to get a tag in a popular hunting area you may be declined for several years before you get that coveted tag. Out of staters have and even harder time getting the tag. If hunting and fishing licenses were valid in all states the Rocky Mountain elk in Wyoming would have already been wiped out long ago. But if are from another state and you want to get a Wyoming elk you can, just bring money. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2022, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-driver-s-licenses-valid-across-state-lines-but-not-hunting-and-fishing-licenses/963336/15 "2022-04-24T03:29:02Z")
A Drivers License is a status license – it shows that you have passed the test and are certified to be an auto driver. (Similar to a Teaching Certificate.) But a Fishing or Hunting license is a just a permissive license – you have paid the fee, and so are licensed to take a certain number of game in the state – there’s no test you have to pass to prove that you are qualified to hunt/fish. But I think the main reason is what has already been mentioned – the fees collected for the licenses and where they go. ---
**Author:** ![Nars\_Glinley](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nars_glinley/32/8177_2.png) [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2022, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-driver-s-licenses-valid-across-state-lines-but-not-hunting-and-fishing-licenses/963336/16 "2022-04-24T03:55:26Z")
This is mostly true but many states, mine included, require passing hunter safety courses in order to get a hunting license. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2022, 6:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-driver-s-licenses-valid-across-state-lines-but-not-hunting-and-fishing-licenses/963336/17 "2022-04-24T06:43:28Z")
> [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](#): > > the fees collected for the licenses and where they go. Exactly. “Driving fees”are mostly collected at the gas pump in the state you are driving in, not necessarily the state you are licensed in. ---
**Author:** ![Danger\_Man](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/6de8d8/32.png) [@Danger\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Danger_Man)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2022, 7:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-driver-s-licenses-valid-across-state-lines-but-not-hunting-and-fishing-licenses/963336/18 "2022-04-24T07:23:38Z")
I also wonder why a licence to kill is valid across country borders ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2022, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-driver-s-licenses-valid-across-state-lines-but-not-hunting-and-fishing-licenses/963336/19 "2022-04-24T12:23:36Z")
> [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](#): > > FWIW, California and Nevada have a reciprocal agreement for border lakes. For example, a California _or_ a Nevada fishing license will allow you to fish anywhere on Lake Tahoe. Which makes sense, because Californian and Nevadan anglers are catching the same fish. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2022, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-driver-s-licenses-valid-across-state-lines-but-not-hunting-and-fishing-licenses/963336/20 "2022-04-24T13:42:56Z")
We once nearly had a war or secession here in Minnesota, where our Northern Angle of Minnesota (northernmost place in the lower 48 states) was having a dispute with Canada about fishing in Lake of the Woods. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-driver-s-licenses-valid-across-state-lines-but-not-hunting-and-fishing-licenses/963336.md?page=2)