A driver 's license , driver license , driver licence , or driving licence is an official document which states that a person may drive a motorized vehicle , such as a motorcycle , car , truck , or a bus . A driver 's license\/licence ( United States , Canada , South Africa ) , or driving licence ( United Kingdom , Ireland , rest of Commonwealth ; see spelling differences ) is an official document which states that a person may operate a motorized vehicle , such as a motorcycle , car , truck or a bus , on a public roadway . As most US and Canadian citizens of driving age have a driver 's license , it has become the de facto form of picture identification in those two countries .