Licence or License?
What is the difference between 'licence' and 'license'?License means permission to do something, especially formal permission from a government or other authority. The word often refers to the proof of that permission, such as a card or certificate. Open source licenses grant permission for anybody to use, modify, and share licensed software for any purpose, subject to conditions preserving the provenance and openness of the software. License Purchase Options New changes for nonresidents On December 1, 2020, prices for nonresident licenses, tags, and permits increased for all 2020 and 2021 products. Nonresidents should also be aware of a sale date change for Sawtooth Zone tags, limits on DAV reduced price deer and elk tags, and more. Learn more Nonresident general season deer and elk tag sale This year all nonresident. License definition is - permission to act. How to use license in a sentence. The Shared Roots of license and licentious Synonym Discussion of license.
- In the UK, use 'licence' for the noun, but use 'license' for the verb.
- In the US, use 'license' for everything (i.e., for the noun and the verb).
- Do you have a license? () ()
- Do you have a licence? () ()
- I need to license this vehicle. () ()
More about 'Licence' and 'License'
If you're following US writing conventions, life is easy. Use 'license.' (In the US, 'licence' does not exist.)
Those following UK conventions must know the difference between a noun and a verb because 'licence' is used for the noun, while 'license' is used for the verb. If you're unsure how to spot a noun and a verb, don't worry because we have some workarounds. A Video Summary
Here is a short video summarizing the difference between 'licence' and 'license.'Examples of 'Licence' and 'License'
Here are some examples of sentences with 'licence' and 'license':- This restaurant is licensed to sell alcohol. () () (Here, 'licensed' is a verb.)
Try substituting the verb 'to allow' with the verb 'to license' to confirm it's a verb.
- This restaurant is allowed to sell alcohol.
- May I see your driving licence please? () () (Here, 'licence' is a noun.)
Try substituting the noun 'papers' with the noun 'licence' to confirm it's a noun.
- May I see your driving papers please?
- I am unable to give you a license because of your history. () ()
- This is not worth losing your licence over. () ()
No confusion with 'licensing' or 'licensed'
There should be no confusion with 'licensing' or 'licensed.' The endings '-ing' and '-ed' mean these are always from the verb; i.e., there are no such words as 'licencing' or 'licenced' in British English or American English.'License' in America
If you're an American, use 'license.' (In American English, license is both noun and verb.)A Video Summary
Watch a video showing 10 big differences between British English and American English.Interactive Exercise
Here are three randomly selected questions from a larger exercise, which can be edited, printed to create an exercise worksheet, or sent via email to friends or students.- Do you disagree with something on this page?
- Did you spot a typo?
See Also
adverse or averse?affect or effect?appraise or apprise?avenge or revenge?bare or bear?complement or compliment?dependant or dependent?discreet or discrete?disinterested or uninterested?e.g. or i.e.?envy or jealousy?imply or infer?its or it's?material or materiel?poisonous or venomous?practice or practise?principal or principle?tenant or tenet?who's or whose?What are nouns?What are verbs?List of easily confused wordsThe information below pertains to a regular non-commercial driver’s license, click here if you have or wish to obtain a commercial driver’s license (CDL).
- If You Have Never Held a Driver's License, click here
Renewing Your Maryland License
Click here for complete information on renewing your Maryland license.
Correcting/Changing Your Maryland License or Permit
If you are using a name other than your birth name, or changing the name on your current Maryland license, you must bring the document that initiated the change of name, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree or court ordered name change, to the MVA to correct your license.
A corrected license can be issued for changes to one’s name, address, height, or weight, to add or remove an organ donor designation, to add or remove certain restrictions or to add a veteran status designation. To change your address or organ donor designation, you may do so online, here or at an MVA self-serve kiosk. Or you can complete the change of address form (VR-154) and mail it to the MVA. Contact the MVA Customer Service Center at 1-410-768-7000 or 1-800-492-4575 TTY for the deaf and hard of hearing.
There is a fee for a corrected license. But there is no fee for the change of address card, which should be carried with your license. You will be mailed the card or corrected license
Duplicate Driver's License or ID Card
Lost Maryland License or Permit
Stolen Maryland License or Permit
License Plate
Maryland Provisional to Regular License
Please visit our Maryland Graduated Licensing System page for more information on how to convert your provisional license to a regular driver’s license.
Exchanging an Out-of-State License for a Maryland License
License To Kill
- You will need your out-of-state license(s), if you do not have the license in your possession, you will need to present a certified driving record from the licensing agency.
- You must pass a vision screening and one that is provided by a doctor must have been administered within the previous 12 months.
- The vision screening can be administered at the MVA branch office; or
- You can submit a completed vision screening form (DL-043 or DL-043A)
If licensed for less than 18 months, you will be issued a Maryland provisional license. Click here for more information on the provisional license.
- If your license is expired for one year or more, you are required to pass a knowledge and driver's skills test.
- Proof of age, identity and residency, are required. Please use the our online document guide to determine what you will need to bring with you to the MVA branch office.
- Please pay the required fees.
- An out-of-state learner’s permit cannot be exchanged for a Maryland learner’s permit. You must meet all the requirements of a new learner's permit.
- You will be asked to surrender your out-of-state driver's license before you can obtain a Maryland one.
Active Military
- If you are on active duty military, some states grant an extension of the driver’s license validity period. The extension is for active duty U.S. military personnel and their dependants while they are stationed outside of their home licensing state. If the out-of-state driver’s license has been expired for one (1) year or more and the state grants a military extension, you will be required to provide:
- Acceptable proof of your current active duty status or military dependant status (i.e. military photo ID card), or
- Recent discharge records (each state grants a certain amount of days after discharge, and depending on your state’s extension, the testing requirements can be waived);and
- Proof of age, identity and residency, use our online document guide to determine what you will need to bring with you; and
- Pass a vision screening; and
- Pay the required fees.
Exchanging an Armed Forces License for a Maryland License
U.S. Armed Forces Military operators permits or licenses are not recognized as proof of having a current driver’s license. Armed force’s licenses must be accompanied by a U.S. state or a foreign country driver’s license.
If applicants are unable to provide acceptable proof of ever holding a license from another state or country, they must be processed as a new driver and must complete all of the Maryland Graduated Licensing System requirements.
The Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration assists veterans in their transition from their military occupation (driving commercial vehicles) to a civilian career. Please visit our commercial driver’s license page for more information about the process.
Exchanging an Out-of-Country License for a Maryland License
- You must present the out-of-country license (may be valid or expired.)
- If you do not have your license, you must present a driving record from the country’s license issuing authority. The driving record should be accompanied by an apostille or a letter from the country’s embassy verifying the driving record.
- The out-of-country license may be required to be accompanied by an international driver's license or translated into English by an approved MVA translator.
- You must pass a vision screening and one that is provided by a doctor must have been administered within the previous 12 months.
- The vision screening can be administered at the MVA branch office; or
- You can submit a completed vision screening form (DL-043 or DL-043a)
- You must complete a 3-hour drug & alcohol education program if you have never been licensed in the U.S.
- You must pass a knowledge test and a driving test in a motor vehicle that you must provide. However, if you are converting or transferring a valid driver's license that has not been expired for more than one year from the following places, you do not have to take the knowledge and skills test. The license must have been issued by a U.S. Territory; American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands or Northern Mariana. If you were born before September 30, 1979 in the Panama Canal Zone, or the license is from Canada, Yukon Territory, or France you do not have to take the tests. However, if your license is from the Republic of Korea (South), the Federal Republic of Germany, Taiwan (Republic of China) or Japan and it is expired, you will have to take all tests. Please click here for more information about international applicants.
- If licensed for less than 18 months, you will be issued a Maryland Provisional License.
- If you have never held a license, you must obtain a learner’s permit.
- Pay the required fees.
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