Anything with a 16 mile range would need a license. The FRS (family radio service) radios don't need a license but claim only a 1 mile range. Some of the FRS radios include other frequencies at higher power. These frequencies would need a license. Usually it will say on the box on in the directions that a license is needed. If you go outside the US, you need to be careful. Other countries have different laws and frequency allocations. You could interfere with radio traffic you don't want to bother. The legal situation could be severe. The laws and licenses in the US are NOT valid in other countries.