The data describes the total number of licensed drivers in the U.S. in 2016, with a breakdown by state. In 2016, there were a little over 489,800 licensed drivers in the District of Columbia.
U.S. licensed drivers by state
The driver’s license became mandatory in the U.S. in the early 20th century, with Missouri and Massachusetts being the first states to require an official license for operating certain types of motor vehicles, including motorcycles, passenger vehicles, trucks, trailers or buses. New Jersey became the first state to require all drivers to pass a mandatory test before being granted an official driver’s license.
