Understanding Licence and License
In the UK, ‘licence’ is the noun form and ‘license’ the verb form. In the US, ‘license’ is used for both noun and verb. A licence is an official document giving permission to do something. To license is to give permission or authorisation. For example, in the UK you would say "I have a driving licence" but "I am licensed to drive". In the US, it would be "I have a driver’s license" and "I am licensed to drive".
Key Differences
Example Usage:
- The restaurateur applied for a license to sell liquor.
- A person must apply for a provisional driver’s ‘licence’ before driving legally in the UK. The DVLA licenses people to drive vehicles in Britain.
- In Canada, licence is the noun and license is the verb. "I need to renew my licence."
Mnemonic Aid:
Licence is the noun and license is the verb. Look for ‘-ice’ at the end of a word, it’s usually a noun like advice. ‘Licence’ has the shortened ‘-ce’ ending for the noun form.
Spelling Variation by Country
In Canada, ‘licence’ is the noun and ‘license’ is the verb.
The correct spelling in Australia is ‘driving licence’ or ‘driver licence’. While “driver’s license” is commonly used, other forms like ‘driver licence’ also exist.
The apostrophe in ‘driver’s’ signifies possession. It is used to denote that the license belongs to the driver. ‘Driver’s License’ is always the correct spelling to indicate official identification for operating a vehicle in the United States.
Obtaining a driver’s license is an important milestone for many individuals. The correct spelling is indeed ‘driver’s license’, representing the official document that permits driving.