<P> In the United States of America, driver's licenses are issued by each individual state, territories, and the federal district rather than by the federal government because of the concept of federalism . Drivers are normally required to obtain a license from their state of residence and all states recognize each other's licenses for temporary visitors subject to normal age requirements . A state may also suspend an individual's driving privilege within its borders for traffic violations . Many states share a common system of license classes, with some exceptions, e.g. commercial license classes are standardized by federal regulation at 49 C.F.R. 383 . </P> <P> In 1899 Chicago and New York City were the first locales to require testing before being allowed to drive a motor vehicle . Massachusetts and Missouri were the first U.S. states to require a license for driving a motor vehicle in 1903; however, Missouri did not require testing before a license was granted . </P> <P> Pennsylvania's 1909 licensing laws were the first to give an age restriction ("18 years of age") and the first state to allow 16 - year - olds to drive (accompanied by a licensed driver) was Connecticut in 1921 . </P>

When did driver's license start in the us