Military Spouses and Driverʼs Licenses: A Guide to Changes
When a military spouse has a loved one deploy to another state or overseas location, they often find themselves adjusting to a new set of challenges. One of those challenges may be dealing with various administrative tasks, such as updating their driverʼs license. Many spouses wonder if they will be required to change their driverʼs license every time their partner reassigns to a different duty station. In this article, we will aim to provide a comprehensive overview of the rules and procedures for military spouses and changing driverʼs licenses.
Do Military Spouses Have to Change their Driverʼs License?
The answer depends on the state in which you currently reside. Federal laws and regulations provide special consideration for military personnel, which includes their spouses in many cases. The requirements vary from state to state, but generally, spouse-licensed drivers do not have to change their licensure if they meet the specific conditions.
Conditions
Military spouses may be entitled to maintain their existing licensure in the following conditions:
- Current Licensure: The military spouse holds a valid and active driverʼs license from the same or a reciprocal state.
- No Change in Principle Residency: The family continues to maintain their same primary residence, regardless of changes in duty station assignment or deployments.
- Limited Exceptions: In circumstances where the spouse moves or the family changes residency during an overseas deployment or tour of duty, the applicable state may grant a deferment or exemption.
By default, if these conditions are met, the state of licensure is unaffected. However, there can be situations where additional regulations may apply, so always check with local DMV authorities, before making any decisions related to licensure changes or requirements.
States with Reciprocal License Requirements
Some states recognize reciprocation agreements with nearby or neighboring states, essentially recognizing valid licenses issued within a specific region. Typically, these agreements eliminate or significantly reduce the need to exchange licensure information at bordering states. Be sure to check if there is a reciprocal agreement within the states you will traverse with your military career assignments:
| State | Reaches Reciprocal Licensing Agreements with: | More Information |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | California | Arizona, Idaho, Kentucky, Montana, New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, Utah, United States Virgin Islands, Western Michigan |
| California | Nevada | Arizona, Maryland, New Jersey, Massachusetts |
| North Dakota | Minnesota, Minnesota Territory | Iowa, Oklahoma |
| Oregon | Arizona, Idaho, North Dakota, Washington, South Dakota |
Changes Without Notification
In situations involving state-specific requirements, not necessarily tied to a person’s residency, a changed licensure may occur solely because of a state specific issue, such as moving within the states*, *birth (for a dependent birth), or other, typically, non-related moves, that do not immediately warrant an update to records, which may necessitate filing an updated Lisence** to meet compliance.
