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Last updated on: 12/17/2014 11:34:32 AM PST

10 States (and DC) That Allow Driver's Licenses for People in the Country
Illegally
(as of Apr. 2, 2014)

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6. Illegal Immigration,
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Immigrants in the country illegally cannot produce the necessary documents (like
a social security card) to obtain a drivers license under state laws. Beginning in
1993 with Washington state, 10 states and DC have changed their laws to allow
immigrants in the country illegally to obtain driver's licenses. Those states hope
to encourage unlicensed drivers to pass the driver's license test and obtain car
insurance.
Some city governments, including San Francisco, CA, New Haven, CT, and
Asbury Park, NJ, issue photo identification cards to residents who are in the
country illegally. These ID cards cannot be used as driver's licenses.

8. 2012 Presidential
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10. Chart Comparing # of
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Patrol Agents, 1992-2010
11. 10 States (and DC) That
Allow Driver's Licenses for
People in the Country Illegally
Learn More
12. Source Biographies
13. Glossary

1.

Sample Nevada driver's authorization card for immigrants

in the country illegally. The card is distinguished from
driver's licenses for legal residents by the words "Not
Valid for Identification" above the blue bar.

Date Effective:

California

Bill: AB 60 (244.8)
Law: Chapter 524, Statutes of 2013

Jan. 1,
2015
Date Signed: Oct. 3, 2013

(or earlier if DMV is

ready)

Law Description:
The law requires the DMV to issue a California driver's license to anyone who can satisfactorily establish
California residency. If the driver cannot show proof of legal residency (with a social security number, for
example), the license will have a "recognizable feature" to distinguish the license from those issued to
legal residents. The law makes it illegal to discriminate against anyone who holds a driver's license with
that mark. The license may not be used for identification purposes.

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OK

2.

Date Effective:

Colorado

Bill: SB 13-251 (93.7 KB)

Law: Session Law 42-2-104

Aug. 1,
2014
Date Signed: June 5, 2013

Law Description:
The law provides driver's licenses to people who filed Colorado state income taxes in the previous year
and can show proof of current state residence, or who have an Individual Taxpayer ID and proof of 24
months of state residency, with a passport, consular ID, or military ID. The license will state "Not valid for
federal identification, voting, or public benefits purposes."

3.

Date Effective:

Connecticut

Bill: HB 6495 (224.6)

Law: Public Act 13-89

Jan. 1,
2015
Date Signed: June 6, 2013

Law Description:
The law allows an individual who cannot provide a social security number or other proof of lawful
presence to obtain a driver's license if he/she presents proof of identity and Connecticut residency, and
signs an affidavit stating he/she will file an application to legalize his/her immigration status or will file an
application as soon as he/she is eligible. The law excludes convicted felons. The license cannot be used
for proof of identity or voting and is valid for three to six years.

4.

District of Columbia

Bill: B20-275 (67.9 KB)

Law: Driver's Safety Amendment Act of 2013

Date Effective:

May 1,
2014

Date Signed: Nov. 18, 2013

Law Description:
The law allows for the issuance of licenses that are valid for eight years to people who can prove DC
residency for more than six months, do not have a social security number, and can provide proof of identity,
date of birth, and residency. The card will be marked "Not valid for official federal purposes." The licenses
may not be used "to consider an individual's citizenship or immigration status, or as a basis for a criminal
investigation, arrest, or detention."

5.

Date Effective:

Illinois

Bill: SB 0957 (34.2 KB)

Law: Public Act 097-1157

Nov. 28,
2013
Date Signed: Jan. 27, 2013

Law Description:
The law provides driver's licenses to people who are ineligible for social security numbers, have resided in
Illinois for over one year, and are unable to present documentation of a legal presence in the country. The
applicant needs to provide a valid passport or consular identification. The license will be valid for three
years, cannot be used as proof of identity, and will be marked as a temporary visitor's driver's license in
capital letters.

6.

Date Effective:

Maryland

Bill: SB 715 (132.4 KB)

Law: Maryland Highway Safety Act of 2013

Jan. 1,
2014
Date Signed: May 2, 2013

Law Description:
The law allows people without social security numbers to obtain a driver's license if they have filed a
Maryland tax return or were claimed as a dependent of someone who filed a Maryland tax return for the
past two years. The driver's license must have a design or color to distinguish it from other driver's licenses
and identification cards, may not be used for federal identification purposes, and may not be used to
purchase a firearm.

7.

Date Effective:

Nevada

Bill: SB 303 (181.4 KB)

Law: Chapter 282

Jan. 1,
2014
Date Signed: May 31, 2013

Law Description:
The law stipulates that the Director of the Department of Motor Vehicles may not release information
regarding the legal status of any person applying for a driver's license. The license will be valid for one
year and available to people who can prove identity, age, and residence in Nevada. The license card will
have minimal distinguishing marks and cannot be used to determine eligibility for other benefits.

8.

New Mexico

Bill: HB 173 (13 KB)

Law: 1978, Chapter 35, Section 231

Date Effective:

2003
Date Signed: Mar. 18, 2003

Law Description:
The law allows for an applicant to provide an individual tax identification number or other document
designated by the department instead of a social security number "regardless of immigration status."

9.

Date Effective:

Utah

Bill: SB 227 (39.2 KB)

Law: Title 53 Chapter 3 Section 207

Mar. 8,
2005
Date Signed: Mar. 8, 2005

Law Description:
The law allows the DMV to issue a "driving privilege" card to people in the country illegally who can prove
Utah residency. The card is distinguished from a regular driver's license by format, color, or other visual
means and is clearly marked with "FOR DRIVING PRIVILEGES ONLY--NOT VALID FOR
IDENTIFICATION." The card may not be used for government identification and is valid for one year.

IDENTIFICATION." The card may not be used for government identification and is valid for one year.

10.

Date Effective:

Vermont

Bill: S 38 (20.9 KB)

Law: Sec. 1. 23 V.S.A. 603

Jan. 1,
2014
Date Signed: June 5, 2013

Law Description:
The law allows residents of Vermont in the country illegally to obtain an "operator's privilege card" if they
provide proof of name; date; and place of birth via a valid foreign passport, a valid consular identification
document, or a certified birth, marriage, adoption, or divorce certificate; and proof of Vermont residency.
The card will be marked "privilege card" and cannot be used for federal identification and will expire on
midnight the night before the applicant's second birthday after issuance.

11.

Date Effective:

Washington

Bill: HB 1444 (8.29 KB)

Law: Chapter 452, Laws of 1993

July 25,
1993
Date Signed: May 17, 1993

Law Description:
The law allows driver's licenses to be issued without a social security number if the applicant can provide
proof of Washington residency via a home utility bill, a college or university document, a Selective Service
card, a car title, bank-issued documents, individual tax identification number, Washington school
transcripts or other school documents, DSHS benefits eligibility documents, or a recent Washington
marriage certificate or child's birth certificate, as long as the document shows the applicant's name and
current Washington residence. Other documents may be considered.

Sources:
National Immigration Law Center, "Current & Pending State Laws & Policies on Driver's Licenses for Immigrants/February 2014," www.nilc.org, Feb. 2014
National Immigration Law Center, "State Laws Providing Access to Driver's Licenses or Cards Regardless of Immigration Status," www.nilc.org, Feb. 2014
Kirk Semple, "In Trenton, Issuing IDs for Illegal Immigrants," www.nytimes.com, May 16, 2010

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