Driver License vs Drivers License vs Driver's License: Which One Is Correct?
There are many words in the English language that give people trouble with the proper way to say it or spell it. Here at Coastline Academy, we still are trying to figure out the proper way to use drivers license in a sentence. Is it driver license or drivers license or maybe even driver's license? You are all striving to get one, but what's the right way of saying it?
Driver License
Like the rules of the road, it seems that states tend to vary with how they use this word and in what context. For the most part (35 states), the physical document is marked as a "driver license."
Driver's license
When it comes to the term driver's license, this is generally the most grammatically correct. For instance, "I need to make sure to carry my driver's license with me when I am behind the wheel." A driver license is singular, so when it is a specific person's license, then it would be considered their driver's license. Webster Dictionary defines the driver's license as, "a license issued under governmental authority that permits the holder to operate a motor vehicle."
Drivers License
If you look up "drivers license" in the Webster Dictionary, it says, "The word you've entered isn't in the dictionary." While many of us consider that piece of plastic we keep in our wallet to be our "drivers license," this term is most likely a convenient abbreviation made popular due to search function algorithms on the Internet. While not grammatically correct, it will return responses if you type it into Google.
In conclusion, any of these terms are popular ways of referring to your driver's license. No matter where you are looking, you will probably see at least one or more of these variations, whether on the Internet, on your physical identification document, or even at your State Licensing Office!
As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to our friendly support staff. If you want to start your driver's training journey with Coastline Academy, make sure to sign up for Driver's Ed and book your driving lesson today.
About the Author
Nigel Tunnacliffe is the co-Founder and CEO of Coastline Academy, the largest driving school in the country, on a mission to eradicate car crashes. An experienced founder and technology executive, Nigel and his team are shaking up the automotive industry by taking a technology-centric approach to learning and driver safety. Having served over 100,000 driving students across 500+ cities, Coastline was recently named the 6th fastest-growing education company in America by Inc. Magazine. Nigel is a frequent podcast guest and quoted driving education expert for major publications such as Yahoo!, GOBankingRates, and MSN.