New York first required paper licenses back in 1903, but only for chauffeurs. It wasn't until 1918 that regular drivers also had to have an actual paper drivers license to be legal on the roadway in New York!
The New York Times has an interesting short piece showing this history with pictures and samples of how drivers licenses have changed over the last 110 years. To see how our licenses have changed, visit their article on Evolution of Licenses. And drive safe !
