Who is considered the primary owner of every license?

The primary owner of every driver's license is the state. This is because a driver's license is issued by a state government agency, which grants individuals the legal privilege to operate motor vehicles within that state. By issuing the license, the state retains ownership and maintains regulatory authority over its use, including establishing rules for testing, renewal, and enforcement of driving laws.

The individual driver possesses the license and is granted the rights that come with it, but it's the state that oversees the licensing process and has the authority to suspend or revoke it if necessary. The insurance company does not own the license; rather, it may require drivers to have certain insurance coverage as a condition for driving privileges. The federal government has regulations that guide state practices in issuing driver's licenses, but it does not own the licenses themselves.