IDs and records
Who handles getting or renewing a driver’s license or state ID?
Who handles it
Your state’s motor vehicle agency, often called the DMV, issues and renews driver’s licenses and state ID cards.
- Not Federal
- State
- Not Local
Facts checked November 5, 2026 · 2 sources
Why state government
Driver’s licenses and ID cards are issued by states. A federal law, the REAL ID Act, sets security standards for state-issued licenses and IDs.
What to do next
- Find your state’s motor vehicle agency on USAGov’s state motor vehicle services page.
- When you apply for or renew your license or state ID, you can choose to make it REAL ID-compliant.
- For a REAL ID, bring proof of your identity, Social Security number, and residency.
In your state
Find your state’s official offices on our state pages.
What varies
Each state decides the process and the documents needed to get a REAL ID.
Learn the background: How does state government work?
Sources
Official recordUSAGov: State motor vehicle services
Official recordUSAGov: How to get a REAL ID and use it for travel