U.S. citizens do not have to carry identification with them.¹  Occasionally, cities or counties try to pass “anti-vagrancy” laws requiring everyone to carry identification, but such provisions have always been held unconstitutional when appealed to higher courts.

However, in order to drive most vehicles, you are required to have a license and to produce it on demand. Failure to have your driver’s license with you while driving your car can result in a ticket or even arrest. When you’re simply traveling, you may drive through other states relying on the license issued in your home state. But if you move to a different state, you’ll have a limited amount of time (for example, 30 days) to get a driver’s license for your new home state. If your license is suspended in a particular state, you can’t drive in that state at all, no matter which other states’ licenses you possess—it’s your privilege to drive that’s been cancelled, not just the piece of paper the state issued you.


1.  There have been more frequent attempts lately, to pass laws that would issue each U.S. citizens a "national identification card" and/or require everyone to carry identification with them at all time.  No such legislation is in effect, however, at the time of this printing (Novemberr, 2004).