Some states punch holes in driver’s licenses to mark them invalid, and others do not. There is no official national registry of everything each state does with surrendered cards, so this guide covers the practices that are documented in state and federal sources, and shows you exactly how to verify your own state. For the general rules, see our guide to what a hole punch in a driver’s license means.
The Federal Rule: Commercial Licenses
The clearest national requirement covers commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs). Federal guidelines require invalid commercial licenses and permits to be perforated with a “VOID” hole punch. That federal rule is why several states adopted the visible VOID perforation for regular licenses and ID cards as well.
Verified State Practices
| State | Documented practice | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | Invalid licenses and ID cards are marked with a “VOID” hole perforation. Used whenever a card is replaced, including renewals, duplicates and new-state moves; in use since July 6, 2015, replacing an older corner-clip method | Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Driver and Vehicle Services |
| Oregon | When the DMV issues an interim driver card or ID card, the surrendered card is invalidated by hole-punching and returned to the applicant. The punched card may not be used as proof of driving privileges and must be destroyed once the mailed replacement arrives | Oregon DMV, OAR 735-062-0096 and ORS 807.550 |
| Pennsylvania | Drivers whose privileges are suspended, revoked or disqualified must surrender their license to PennDOT, and may not retain their Pennsylvania license for photo identification purposes | PennDOT DL-16LC acknowledgment form; 75 Pa.C.S. section 1571 |
Note what is not in this table: most states are not documented either way in publicly available official sources. Some clip a corner instead of punching. Some stamp the card. Some invalidate the card only in their database and do not alter it physically. Minnesota’s own history shows practices change: it clipped corners before moving to the VOID perforation in 2015.
Why States Punch or Perforate Cards at All
The purpose is fraud prevention and quick recognition. A punch or VOID perforation is visible in low light, hard to remove without obvious damage, and immediately tells enforcement and businesses that the card is not current. Without a physical mark, an expired or superseded card can still look usable and be exploited, for example for age-restricted purchases or identity fraud.
How to Find Out What Your State Does
- Open your state DMV’s replacement or duplicate license page and look for the section on surrendering the old card.
- Check the driver’s handbook section on license renewal or replacements.
- Ask at the DMV counter when you receive a replacement: what happens to the old card, and do you get it back?
- If you hold a commercial license, assume the VOID perforation rule applies, since it is a federal requirement.
Related Guides
- Hole Punch in Driver’s License: What It Means
- VOID Punched License: What It Means and Your Next Steps
- Is a Punched Driver’s License Still Valid?
Frequently Asked Questions
Which states punch holes in driver’s licenses?
Publicly documented examples include Minnesota (VOID perforation since 2015), Oregon (hole-punch on surrender when a new card is issued) and Pennsylvania (licenses surrendered on suspension or revocation). Many other states clip corners, stamp cards, or only void them in their database, and no official list covers every state.
Do all states punch holes in licenses?
No. Practices vary widely. Some states punch, some clip a corner, some stamp the card, and some simply record the invalidation digitally. Federal rules do require a VOID perforation for invalid commercial driver’s licenses.
Why do states punch or perforate licenses at all?
To make invalid cards easy to recognize. A punch or VOID perforation is visible in dim light, survives tampering attempts, and stops expired or superseded cards from being used fraudulently.
How can I find out what my state does?
Check your state DMV’s replacement or duplicate license page, look at the driver’s handbook section on surrendering old cards, or ask at the counter when you’re issued a new license.
This article is for general information only and is not legal advice. Rules vary by state and change over time; always confirm your situation with your state’s DMV or a qualified attorney.
