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There are several places in the United States where immigrants can have driver’s licenses despite not having a regular immigration status . In some, this privilege comes from certain bills that were approved in the past and in others it is only enough to prove identity and place of residence to have access to this important document. These places have the guarantee of extreme confidentiality from the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), a guarantee that removes the fear of many of being deported by offering precise information about their condition in the country.
Currently, 19 states allow immigrants to have driver’s licenses , but among all these places there are some in which this privilege tends to be more popular due to the higher density of undocumented foreigners :
California:
It has the AB 60, a license type approved in 2015 by the Assembly . Any immigrant living in this state can opt for this alternative as long as they provide proof of their identity and current place of residence. AB 80 cannot be used as a form of identification and, to obtain it, immigrants must comply with the next:
1. Schedule an appointment with the DMV online or through 1 795 – 737 – 0133.
two. Have a document or some other proof of identity and residence in the state. These documents must be on the list of acceptable documents for this purpose.
3. Agree with the taking of the photograph and fingerprints.
4. Pass a vision test, a knowledge test (written test) and a driving test.
5. Pay a fee of $ 44.
New York:
From 2019, those people who come from other parts of the world can have access to this privilege thanks to the so-called Green Light Law in force in New York. The requirements for those who wish to have a driver’s license are the following:
1. Present documents that prove name, date of birth and residence in New York.
2. Complete a schedule an appointment with the DMV online or by phone through 1 – 518 – 402 – 2100.
3. Complete a 5 hour pre-license course.
4. Pass a vision test, a knowledge test (written test) and a driving test.
5. Pay a fee of $ 98. 50.
New Jersey:
Since January 1, 2021, immigrants can opt for a driver’s license regardless of their status. This right comes from a law passed by Governor Phil Murphy in 2019 . The procedure is done through the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC). In this case, by scheduling the corresponding appointments, several stages must be approved:
1. Get an appointment to apply to the request.
two. Pass a written exam and a vision test in order to obtain a special learner’s permit.
3. Have at least three months of supervised driving by an experienced driver while holding the special learner’s permit.
4. Pass a driving test to obtain a probationary license that allows unaccompanied driving. This document must be used for at least one year.
5. Finally, apply for an unrestricted driver’s license.
Illinois:
In this state the License exists Temporary Visitor Driving (TVDL) from 2014 . Although it is not an exclusive form like the previous ones, it is also directed to people who cannot prove citizenship or legal presence in the United States. This means that any immigrant can be eligible if they meet the following conditions:
two. Prove current residence in Illinois and have documents verifying that residency (at least two).
3. Not having a Social Security Number or being eligible for it.
4. Show proof of identity in which date of birth and written signature can be verified.
5. Have a valid passport or consular identification card.
6. Agree with the taking of fingerprints and photographs.
7. Pass vision tests, written test and driving test.
8. Pay a fee of $ 38.
Washington DC:
All immigrants can apply for a Washington driver’s license beginning May 1, 2014. The requirements in this city are as follows:
1. Schedule an appointment with the DMV.
two. Present proof of identity and residence within Washington DC
3. Fill out a Social Security Number Declaration form . This will certify that the applicant does not have an assigned Social Security Number, that they do have one but do not have proof of legal presence in the United States, or that they have been found to be ineligible.
4. Pass an eye exam, a written exam to get a temporary permit. For this, applicants must pay a fee of $ 10 for the written exam and $ 19 for the permit issued.
5. With the permission, you can schedule another appointment for the driving test online or through 202 – 737 – 4404. You must cancel $ 10 for this test.
6. Pay a fee of $ 50 for the license issued.
In the United States, Immigrants can also have access to the privilege of driving, as long as they can prove identity and residency, in the following states: New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Delaware, Maryland, Connecticut, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Nevada, Virginia and Puerto Rico (as a commonwealth), but these states have a low density of immigrants compared to the previous ones and with Texas and Florida, two of the states with the highest number of undocumented foreigners than do not have any way for these people to have the privilege of driving .
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