In every state, traffic laws make it unlawful to operate a motor vehicle when:

• The vehicle operator has never been issued a driver's license from the state department of motor vehicles,
• The vehicle operator currently has his or her driver's license temporarily suspended, or
• The vehicle operator has had his or her driver's license permanently revoked.

Traffic laws in most states differentiate between operating a vehicle without a valid driver's / operator's license, and operating a vehicle without proof of licensing (i.e. when a properly licensed driver fails to carry his or her driver's license).