State |
Identifying Under 21 Driver’s License Elements |
| Alaska | License for minors is vertical with “UNDER 21 Until 00-00-0000” written in white within a red bar above the photo. For additional information about minor licenses, visit https://doa.alaska.gov/dmv/akol/teenlaw.htm |
| Alabama | Minor licenses are vertical. Under 18/21 cards display the words “UNDER 18 UNTIL” and/or “UNDER 21 UNTIL” followed by the date the cardholder will turn 18 or 21 in bold red text. This text is positioned vertically next to the portrait. On older licenses, it is printed in a red header beside the state name and the photo is on the right side of the license. For more information and/or an image, visit: https://dps.alabama.gov/Documents/Miscellaneous/DriverLicenses.html |
| Arkansas | Vertical format with a black “UNDER 18 UNTIL 00-00-0000” in a yellow bar below the photo and a white “UNDER 21 UNTIL 00-00-0000” in a red bar below the yellow bar. Photo and Date of birth have red borders. Also note: an “intermediate” license includes a yellow map of Arkansas, and a learner’s permit includes a white map. For more information and/or an image, visit https://www.atc.arkansas.gov |
| Arizona | Minor licenses are vertical with newer licenses. “UNDER 21″ (in yellow) Until 00-00-0000” (in white) beside the photo. In older licenses, UNDER 21 Until 00-00-0000 appears red above the signature, and the photo is on the left. A low-resolution picture of a minor license can be found on page 12 of the Arizona Driver License Manual, which can be found here: https://azdot.gov/motor-vehicles/driver-services/teen-drivers/under-21-driver-license |
| California | On minor licenses, the photo of minors is on the right, with a shadowed image to the left of the photo. White letters “AGE 21 IN (0000)” appear in a red bar; under 18 includes white “PROVISIONAL UNTIL AGE 18” IN (0000) in a blue bar. For additional information and/or an image, visit: https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/handbook/california-driver-handbook/special-section-minors/ |
| Colorado | License for minors is vertical. “UNDER 21” is in red above the photo. Prior licenses included “UNDER 21” in a yellow bar at the far right of the card or “UNDER 18” in a red bar at the far right. For additional information about minor licenses, visit: https://dmv.colorado.gov/newcard |
| Connecticut | License for minors is vertical. “UNDER 21 UNTIL 00-00-0000” is in the red bar to the right of the primary photo. If under 18, “UNDER 18 UNTIL 00-00-000” is in the yellow bar to the left of the red bar. The primary photo is on the left side, with a small duplicate ghosted photo image on the bottom right. Learner’s Permit has the state name in yellow. A Connecticut ID card has the state name in red on a green bar. For additional information and/or an image, visit: https://portal.ct.gov/dmv/licenses-permits-ids/teen-drivers-license?language=en_US |
| Washington, D.C. | Minor licenses are vertical. UNDER 21 UNTIL 00-00-0000, written in red below the photo. The provisional license has a pale green header bar. For additional information about minor licenses, visit: https://dmv.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/dmv/page_content/attachments/Final%20DMV%20Brochure%20Sept.%2027%2C%202013_0.pdf |
| Delaware | License for minors is vertical. Black “18 ON 00-00-000” in a yellow bar to the right of the photo, or white “21 ON 00-00-0000” in a red bar to the right. Prior licenses had a white “18 ON 00-00-0000” and “21 ON 00-00-0000” in a red block. For additional information about minor licenses, visit: https://www.dmv.de.gov/ |
| Florida | License for minors is vertical. “UNDER 21 UNTIL 00-00-0000” is in yellow type on a red background to the left of the primary photo. The state header for Minor License is in yellow type within a green bar. The state header for the minor ID card is yellow and within a red bar. For additional information and/or an image, visit https://www.flhsmv.gov/driver-licenses-id-cards |
| Georgia | Minor license is vertical for new licenses with photo on the left and red “UNDER 21” to the right of the photo. Birthdate is in black for permanent licenses and in red for interim licenses. Prior licenses are valid until the expiration date and have a red header and a red box around the photo with “UNDER 21” vertically down the left side. “Georgia DRIVER LICENSE” and the birth date are in red. For additional information and/or an image, visit https://dds.georgia.gov/dds-forms-and-manuals/manuals and click “DDS Brochure additional information and/or an image, New License Design.” |
| Hawaii | Minor License is vertical with the date of birth printed in black. “21st: 00/00/0000” and “18th: 00/00/0000” are printed in white within a red bar to the right of the photo. Gradient (dark to light) pink shading exists on the card with the primary photo beneath. Under-21 Licenses and Provisional Licenses have a rainbow appearing underneath the photo extending to the bottom right. Under 21, Permits do not have a rainbow. Previous licenses are valid until the expiration date and are vertical with red “UNDER 21 UNTIL 00-00-0000” above the photo and below the head bar. For drivers under 18, previous licenses have “PROVISIONAL” on the right side in dark pink. For additional information and/or an image, visit: https://hidot.hawaii.gov/blog/2019/09/26/hawaii-residents-will-need-real-id-compliant-identification-to-fly-starting-oct-1-2020/ |
| Iowa | Minor license is vertical with “Under 21 UNTIL 00-00-00” in yellow print in a red block at right. Two photos appear on the license, with the primary one on the left with “DOB” directly to the right. Previously, minor licenses were vertical, with the name, address, and date of birth in red. For additional information and/or an image, visit https://www.iowadot.gov/mvd/MM353.pdf |
| Idaho | Minor under 18 licenses are vertical with a green photo border, white “UNDER 18” at the top and bottom, and red “UNDER 18 UNTIL 00-00-0000” at the bottom right. Under 21 licenses have a red border around the photo, with “UNDER 21 UNTIL 00-00-0000” printed in red in the bottom right of the license. For additional information, go to: http://www.preventthesale.com/idaho/ids.htm |
| Illinois | Minor license is vertical, with the photo on the left. “Under 21 until 00-00-0000” is printed vertically in white in a red bar to the right of the photo. “Under 18 until 00-00-000” is printed in black in a yellow bar to the right and beside the red bar. There is a duplicate ghosted image at the bottom right of the card. For additional information and/or an image, go to: https://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/drivers/drivers_license/newdlflyer1.pdf |
| Indiana | Minor license is vertical with white “Under 21 Until 00/00/0000” in a red bar to right of photo, and/or a black “Under 18 Until 00/00/0000” in a yellow bar placed vertically at the right of the photo. If a driver is younger than 18, the word “PROBATIONARY” is printed beneath the state name bar. For additional information about minor licenses, visit: https://www.in.gov/bmv/licenses-permits-ids/learners-permits-and-drivers-licenses-overview/drivers-license/ |
| Kansas | Minor license is vertical with a white “NOT 21 UNTIL 00-00-0000” in a red bar or a white “NOT 18 UNTIL 00-00-0000” in a green bar under the photo. For additional information and/or an image, visit: https://www.brcoks.org/sites/g/files/vyhlif351/f/uploads/real_id_customer_brochure.pdf |
| Kentucky | Minor license is vertical. “UNDER AGE 21 Until 00-00-0000” or “UNDER AGE 18″ UNTIL 00-00-0000” in red to the right of the photo. For additional information about minor licenses, visit https://drive.ky.gov/RealID/Pages/Under-21.aspx |
| Louisiana | Minor licenses are vertical with a red “Under 21 Until 00-00-0000” and “Under 18 Until 00-00-0000” to the right of the photo, at the bottom left, with a red frame. The prior license had a “Y” in the “MINOR” field or a red “M” in the minor box. For additional information about minor licenses, visit https://aacea.com/louisiana/images/Louisiana-ID-Supplement-2018.pdf |
| Massachusetts | Minor license is vertical with red “UNDER 21 DRIVER LICENSE” under the state header. A red “UNDER 18 UNTIL 00-00-0000” and UNDER 21 UNTIL 00-00-0000 appear above the photo. Valid driving times are also noted in red on minor licenses. For additional information and/or an image, visit https://www.mass.gov/doc/a-guide-to-the-new-license-and-identification-card/download |
| Maryland | Minor license is vertical, with the photo bordered in red and “Under 18 Until 00-00-0000” or “Under 21 Until 00-00-0000, “both in red, above the photo. UNDER 21 ALCOHOL RESTRICTED is below the photo in white. For additional information and/or an image, visit: https://www.e-verify.gov/sites/default/files/everify/factsheets/factsheetsArchive/MarylandRIDEFactSheet.pdf |
| Maine | Minor license is vertical. UNDER 18 UNTIL 00/00/0000″ and “UNDER 21 UNTIL 00/00/0000” appear stacked to the right of the primary photo. A small duplicate ghosted image is on the right in the middle. For additional information and/or an image, visit https://www.maine.gov/sos/bmv/licenses/MVL-9Checklist%20Brochure.pdf |
| Michigan | Minor license is vertical. “UNDER 18 UNTIL 00-00-0000” and “UNDER 21 UNTIL 00-00-0000” are in red above the name/address. The date of birth overlaps the shadowed image. For additional information, go to: https://www.michigan.gov/sos/license-id |
| Minnesota | Minor license is horizontal. The photo has a red border, and “UNDER 21” is printed in yellow at the top of the photo. If under 18, the license states “PROVISIONAL,” and the date that the minor will turn 18 is in red text to the right of the DOB. For additional information, go to: https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/dvs/Pages/search-dvs.aspx |
| Missouri | Minor license is horizontal. The primary photo is on the left, and “UNDER 21 UNTIL 00-00-0000” is at the top, in red text. For drivers under 18, “Missouri” is in purple, and “INTERMEDIATE LICENSE” is beneath the state name on the top left. A small duplicate ghosted photo is on the bottom in the middle. For more information and/or an image, go to: https://dor.mo.gov/pdf/newlicense.pdf |
| Mississippi | Minor licenses are vertical, with the state name in green and “UNDER 21 UNTIL 00-00-0000” in white text below the photo in a red bar. UNDER 18 UNTIL 00-00-0000 is in black and is in the yellow bar beneath the UNDER 21 red bar. The birth year is above the shadowed photo image, and the license may include a yellow “INTERMEDIATE LICENSE” in the heading. For more information, see https://www.e-verify.gov/sites/default/files/everify/factsheets/factsheetsArchive/MississippiRIDEFactSheet.pdf |
| Montana | Minor license is vertical with “Under 18/21 UNTIL 00/00/0000” in a red bar vertically to the right of the photo. For additional information about minor licenses, visit: https://www.doj.mt.gov/driving/driverlicensing.asp |
| North Carolina | Minor license is vertical. “Turns 21 on 00-00-0000” is highlighted in red to the right of the primary photo. “Turns 18 on 00-00-0000” is highlighted in yellow to the right of the photo if applicable. A small duplicate ghosted image is at the bottom right. For more information and/or images, go to https://www.ncdot.org/ |
| North Dakota | Minor licenses are vertical with a white “Turns 21 on 00-00-0000” in a red bar, and if applicable, “Turns 18 on 00-00-0000” in a yellow bar on the right side of the photo. For more information and/or an image, go to https://www.dot.nd.gov/driver/real-id-information |
| Nebraska | Minor license is vertical with a red “UNDER 18 UNTIL 00-00-0000” and/or “UNDER 21 UNTIL 00-00-0000” under the state name. For more information and/or images, go to: https://dmv.nebraska.gov/dl/driver-license |
| New Hampshire | Minor license is vertical with the photo under the state header. “UNDER 18 UNTIL 00-00-0000” is in white text in a pink bar. “UNDER 21 UNTIL 00-00-0000” is in white text in a red bar below the pink bar in the lower left of the license. For more information and/or images, go to: https://www.dmv.nh.gov/drivers-licensenon-driver-ids/driver-licensing-requirements-minors |
| New Jersey | The newer minor license is vertical with “UNDER 21 UNTIL 00-00-0000” in the red frame around the photo with yellow print. For more information and/or images, go to: https://www.state.nj.us/mvc/pdf/about/advisories/advisory-2011-001.pdf |
| New Mexico | Minor license is vertical. “UNDER 21 UNTIL 00-00-0000” is in white text in a red bar and “UNDER 18 UNTIL 00-00-0000” is in white text in a pink bar, in the lower left of the license. For additional information about minor licenses, visit: https://www.mvd.newmexico.gov/nm-drivers-licenses-ids/drivers-license/apply-for-a-learners-permit/ |
| Nevada | Minor license is vertical. Red ‘UNDER 21 UNTIL 00-00-0000″ and ‘UNDER 18 UNTIL 00-00-0000″ to the right of the photo. For more information and/or image go to: https://dmv.nv.gov/dldesign.htm |
| New York | Under 21 Until 00-00-0000 and/or “Under 18 Until 00-00-0000”, ID number and date of birth are printed in red on the right side of the photo. Under 18 licenses have LIMITED in red on the right side of the card. For additional information about minor licenses, visit: https://dmv.ny.gov/id-card/sample-photo-documents |
| Ohio | Minor license is vertical, with a red header. The photo is in the top left and has a red border. Red “UNDER 18 UNTIL 00-00-0000” and “UNDER 21 UNTIL 00-00-0000” appear at the bottom right and overlap the duplicate ghosted photo. For additional information about minor licenses, visit: https://www.bmv.ohio.gov/dl-real-id.aspx |
| Oklahoma | Minor license is vertical, and has the photo in a red border. UNDER 21 UNTIL 00-00-0000 is in white text, in a red border. UNDER 18 UNTIL 00-00-0000 is in a yellow box to the right of the photo. ‘LEARNER PERMIT” or “INTERMEDIATE” is in the header of the license. For additional information and/or image go to: http://media.corporate-ir.net/media_files/nsd/visg/oklicensebros.pdf |
| Oregon | The minor license has the photo on the right, bordered in red. UNDER 21 UNTIL 00-00-0000 is in yellow text, at the top of the photo; UNDER 18 UNTIL 00-00-0000 is to the right of the photo. PROVISIONAL LICENSE will be printed on the license if person is under 18. For additional information and/or image go to: https://www.oregon.gov/odot/dmv/pages/driverid/samplecards.aspx |
| Pennsylvania | Minor license is vertical; black “UNDER 18 UNTIL 00/00/0000” in yellow bar above photo or white “UNDER 21 UNTIL 00/00/0000” in red bar above photo. Under 18 licenses have a green head bar with JUNIOR DRIVER’S LICENSE and JR in the map at the bottom right. For more information and/or image, go to: https://www.lcb.pa.gov/Licensing/Pages/Pennsylvania%27s-Driver%27s-Licenses-and-ID-Cards.aspx |
| Rhode Island | Minor license is vertical, with blue state name, top bar, and map. If a provisional license, headers are in yellow. The photo is bordered in red and has UNDER 21 UNTIL 00-00-0000 in white at the top of the license. For more information, go to: https://dmv.ri.gov/licenses-permits-ids/permits-tests |
| South Carolina | For minors under 18, the license reads UNDER 18 UNTIL 00-00-0000 at the top right, and the photo is framed in green. UNDER 21 UNTIL 00-00-0000 is in the top right, and the photo is framed in red. For additional information about minor licenses, visit: https://dc.statelibrary.sc.gov/bitstream/handle/10827/27429/DMV_Drivers_Licenses_and_Identification_Cards_Brochure_2010.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y |
| South Dakota | Below the header, “00-00-0000 – 21st BIRTHDAY” in black, “UNDER 21” is below the photo, and a two-digit phantom number of the year of the 21st birthday below the data area; dates of 18th and 21st birthdays are listed on the back. The heading is red for under 21, green if restricted (shows “R” in the restrictions field). |
| Tennessee | Minor license is horizontal. If under 21, there is a red bar to the right of the photo with a yellow “UNDER 21 UNTIL 00-00-0000”. The primary photo and address are on the right, with the license level in the yellow title bar. There is small, duplicate ghosted image on the bottom left. For more information, refer to Driver’s Manual: https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/mentalhealth/documents/Quick%20Reference%20Guide.pdf |
| Texas | Texas ID card requirements for minors: Under 21, driver’s license is vertical with red “UNDER 21 DRIVER LICENSE” and red “UNDER 21 UNTIL 00-00-0000” above the person’s name. For additional information about minor licenses, visit: https://www.txdps.state.tx.us/DriverLicense/teenDriver.htm |
| Utah | Minor license is vertical. Red ‘UNDER 21 UNTIL 00/00/0000″ and if applicable, blue “UNDER 19 UNTIL 00/00/000” above duplicate ghosted image. For more information and/or an image, visit https://dld.utah.gov |
| Virginia | Minor license is vertical with UNDER 21 in the header and on the back. UNDER 18 UNTIL 00-00-0000 and UNDER 21 UNTIL 00-00-0000 is on the front at the bottom left. For more information and/or an image, visit: https://www.abc.virginia.gov/licenses/retail-resources/detecting-fake-ids |
| Vermont | Minor license is vertical. The operator license has the head bar in plum color, UNDER 21 UNTIL 00-00-0000 in red, and UNDER 18 UNTIL 00-00-0000 below the Under 21 date. Junior Operator license has a yellow/orange head bar, and the Learner’s Permit has a pink head bar. For more information and/or an image, visit https://dmv.vermont.gov/licenses |
| Washington | Minor license is vertical. AGE 21 ON 00-00-0000 and/or AGE 18 ON 00-00-0000 are in black next to the photo. For drivers under 18, INTERMEDIATE LICENSE is under the state name. For additional information about minor licenses, visit https://www.dol.wa.gov/driverslicense/IDdesigns.html |
| Wisconsin | Minor licenses are vertical with a white “Turns 21 on 00-00-0000” in a red band and, where applicable, a black “Turns 18 on 00-00-0000” in a yellow band below the photo. For more information and/or an image, visit: https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/dmv/license-drvs/how-to-apply/mailed.aspx |
| West Virginia | Minor licenses are vertical. Under 21 licenses have a bright blue background, GRADUATED in red text below the heading, and TURNS 21 ON 00-00-0000 in white text in a red bar to the right of the photo. Under 18 licenses have a dark red background, with TURNS 18 ON 00-00-0000 and INTERMEDIATE in red below the heading. For additional information about minor licenses, visit: https://transportation.wv.gov/DMV/Drivers/Pages/Drivers-Licenses.aspx |
| Wyoming | The minor license is vertical, with the photo on the left. Red “Age 21 on 00-00-0000” and, where applicable, “Age 18 on 00-00-0000” are below the heading on the right. For more information and/or images, go to: https://www.e-verify.gov/sites/default/files/everify/factsheets/factsheetsArchive/WyomingRIDEFactSheet.pdf |
This information is provided as an educational service on Serving Alcohol, Inc., but is not intended to provide legal advice or analysis. This information is not intended to be a complete representation or description of all driver’s licenses. No person viewing this information should rely on this information as a complete description of applicable identification. Each state law is unique and possibly represents multiple legislative or regulatory acts. Local laws may differ. Check with local authorities for variations from the information depicted here.
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