For many Americans, a driver's license is a also license to earn a living, see friends, go shopping, and get away from it all on the weekends. Take away that card, and people will do almost anything to get it back. They'll even pay their parking tickets. In Massachusetts, you can't renew your driver's license if you have outstanding parking tickets, unpaid moving violations, or if you owe excise tax on your automobile. And it's fairly cost effective.
Most law abiding people take it very seriously.
Pay your bills to city and state, pay your child support, don't get caught using drugs, and the state will let you keep on trucking. Screw up, and they'll clip your wings. In most states, getting caught driving without a license, or with one that's been suspended or revoked, means handcuffs, a trip down to the local jail, and having your car towed to the pound. In other words, it's serious shit. Most businesses and state agencies have a problem with outstanding debt.