Driver’s license
Driver's license: A state-issued license that permits a person to drive a motor vehicle on public roads. Every state requires one. Courts have long upheld state licensing and registration laws for drivers, for example in Hendrick v. Maryland, 235 U.S. 610 (1915).
What driver's license means
In short, driver's license is a term you will meet in court papers, rules and legal research. The definition above gives its usual meaning in American civil practice. However, the exact meaning can depend on the rule, statute or court decision that uses it. So it helps to read the term in context.
Where driver's license comes up
The term is used across many kinds of cases. For example, you may see it in pleadings, motions and court orders. To see it in context, browse the motions and procedures library or the Learn the Law topics.
Read the source: License, Right to travel.
How to research the term
To research driver's license, begin with the rule, statute or contract where the word is used. Each one can give it a slightly different meaning. Then compare that text with how courts in your area have applied it. Also check the local rules of your court, since they can add requirements. If your case is in state court, the state rules control. So start with our state procedures guide to find them. In the end, always confirm that the source you rely on is current.
You can read the current federal court rules online for free.
Related legal terms
- Docket: the court's official record of filings and events in a case.
- Docket sounding: a court session, used in Florida circuit courts, at which the judge calls the cases set for an upcoming trial period to find out whether each one is ready for trial, has settled or needs a continuance.
- Doctrine: a legal rule or principle that courts develop and apply over time, often through case law. Examples include the doctrine of stare decisis, the doctrine of res judicata and the abstention doctrines in federal court.
- Domestic asset protection trust: a self-settled, irrevocable trust that a state statute allows to protect the settlor's property from many creditors if strict requirements are met.
Why precise terms matter
Courts read legal terms closely. As a result, knowing the exact meaning of a word helps you follow orders, rules and filings. Each glossary entry on Lawtopolis is short on purpose and links to the pages where the term is used.
Sources
Sources last reviewed: 2026-10-24
Lawtopolis provides legal information and education, not legal advice. Using this site does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws and court rules vary by jurisdiction and change over time; verify every authority against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction about your situation.