Is it driver’s license or drivers license? Although both spellings appear in everyday writing, driver’s license is the standard form in American English. The apostrophe is important because it shows possession: the license belongs to or is associated with a driver.
The confusion often occurs because people see the phrase on official documents, websites, signs, and application forms, where spelling conventions may vary. Some writers also assume that drivers license is correct because the document is related to drivers in general.
In this guide, you will learn why driver’s license is the preferred spelling, what the apostrophe means, whether drivers license is ever acceptable, and how the expression differs in British English. You will also find practical examples, common mistakes, and answers to frequently asked questions.
Quick Answer: Driver’s License or Drivers License?
Driver’s license is the standard American English spelling. The apostrophe and the letter s indicate possession or association with a driver.
- Driver’s license: Correct standard American English spelling.
- Drivers license: Generally incorrect in standard American English because it omits the apostrophe.
- Driving licence: Common British English expression, spelled with a c rather than an s.
Example: She renewed her driver’s license last week.
What Does Driver’s License Mean?
A driver’s license is an official document or permit that authorizes a person to operate a motor vehicle, subject to applicable laws and restrictions.
The term is commonly used in the United States and Canada. It is also widely understood in other English speaking countries.
The word driver’s is the possessive form of driver, while license refers to official permission or authorization.
Examples of Driver’s License in Sentences
- You must carry your driver’s license when driving.
- I need to renew my driver’s license next month.
- She showed her driver’s license to the police officer.
- He passed his driving test and received his driver’s license.
- Please enter your driver’s license number on the application form.
- My driver’s license expires next year.
- You may need a valid driver’s license to rent a car.
- He forgot his driver’s license at home.
In each example, driver’s license refers to the official document that gives someone permission to drive.
Why Is Driver’s License Written With an Apostrophe?
The apostrophe in driver’s license indicates possession or association.
The word driver’s is the singular possessive form of driver. It refers to a license belonging to or associated with one driver.
Consider these examples:
- The driver’s car is parked outside.
- The driver’s uniform is clean.
- The driver’s license is valid.
In each sentence, the apostrophe shows a relationship between the driver and the following noun.
Although a driver’s license is not necessarily the personal property of the driver in a strict legal sense, the possessive construction identifies the document as the license associated with that person.
Is Drivers License Ever Correct?
In standard American English, drivers license without an apostrophe is generally considered incorrect.
The problem is that drivers is the plural form of driver, not the singular possessive form needed in the expression.
Compare:
| Form | Meaning | Correct usage |
|---|---|---|
| Driver | One person who drives | Correct |
| Drivers | More than one driver | Correct |
| Driver’s | Something belonging to or associated with one driver | Correct |
| Drivers’ | Something belonging to or associated with multiple drivers | Correct |
| Drivers license | Missing the apostrophe | Generally incorrect |
However, you may occasionally see drivers license on websites, informal signs, search queries, or documents where punctuation has been omitted. That does not make it the standard spelling.
Driver’s License vs. Drivers’ License: What Is the Difference?
There is another form worth understanding: drivers’ license.
The difference between driver’s and drivers’ is the placement of the apostrophe.
1. Driver’s License
Driver’s license uses the singular possessive form. It is the standard expression for the official document issued to an individual driver.
Example: He showed his driver’s license at the checkpoint.
2. Drivers’ License
Drivers’ license uses the plural possessive form. Grammatically, it suggests a license associated with multiple drivers.
However, it is not the standard spelling of the individual document in American English.
Example: The drivers’ association discussed licensing requirements.
Here, drivers’ is possessive because the association belongs to or represents multiple drivers. The phrase drivers’ license would generally be inappropriate when referring to one person’s official driving document.
Driver’s License vs. Driving Licence: American and British English
English spelling differs between American and British English. The expression for an official driving document is one example.
| American English | British English |
|---|---|
| Driver’s license | Driving licence |
| License (noun) | Licence (noun) |
| Licensed driver | Licensed driver |
| License plate | Number plate |
American English: Driver’s License
In the United States, the standard term is driver’s license.
Example: You must present your driver’s license before renting a car.
British English: Driving Licence
In the United Kingdom, the usual term is driving licence.
Example: You must carry your driving licence when required by law.
Notice that British English generally uses licence as a noun and license as a verb.
Examples:
- Noun: She applied for a driving licence.
- Verb: The authority may license the vehicle.
American English uses license for both the noun and the verb.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake 1: Writing Drivers License Without an Apostrophe
Incorrect: I lost my drivers license.
Correct: I lost my driver’s license.
The singular possessive form requires an apostrophe before the s.
Mistake 2: Confusing Driver’s With Drivers
Incorrect: All driver’s must renew their licenses.
Correct: All drivers must renew their licenses.
Use drivers without an apostrophe when referring to more than one driver.
Mistake 3: Using Drivers’ License for an Individual Document
Incorrect: She showed her drivers’ license.
Correct: She showed her driver’s license.
The standard expression for one person’s document uses the singular possessive form.
Mistake 4: Confusing License and Licence
In American English, license is used as both a noun and a verb.
In British English, licence is generally the noun, while license is the verb.
Examples:
- American: He has a valid driver’s license.
- British: He has a valid driving licence.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is it driver’s license or drivers license?
Driver’s license is the standard spelling in American English. The apostrophe indicates the singular possessive form of driver. Drivers license without an apostrophe is generally considered incorrect in standard writing.
2. Why does driver’s license have an apostrophe?
The apostrophe shows possession or association. The word driver’s means that the license belongs to or is associated with an individual driver.
3. Is drivers’ license grammatically correct?
Drivers’ license is grammatically possible as a plural possessive construction, but it is not the standard term for an individual’s driving document. The accepted American English expression is driver’s license.
4. Is driver license correct without an apostrophe?
Yes. Driver license is used in some official American contexts, including the names of certain government agencies and documents. It is also used in some regional varieties of English. However, driver’s license is the more familiar standard expression in general American English.
5. Is it driving licence or driver’s license in British English?
The usual British English expression is driving licence. The noun licence is spelled with a c in British English, while American English uses driver’s license.
6. Is driver’s license singular or plural?
Driver’s license is singular. It refers to one official document associated with one driver. The plural form is driver’s licenses, referring to multiple documents.
Example: The office issued 200 driver’s licenses last month.
7. What is the plural of driver’s license?
The plural is driver’s licenses. The apostrophe remains after the singular noun driver, while license changes to licenses.
Example: The department renewed thousands of driver’s licenses this year.
8. Is driver’s license one word or two words?
It is written as two separate words: driver’s and license. The apostrophe is included in the first word.
Conclusion
The correct standard American English spelling is driver’s license, with an apostrophe before the s. The apostrophe indicates that the document is associated with an individual driver.
Drivers license without an apostrophe is generally incorrect in standard writing, while drivers’ license suggests a plural possessive construction and is not the usual term for an individual’s document.
Remember that British English commonly uses driving licence instead. Choosing the appropriate expression depends on the variety of English you are writing in.
