Undocumented Immigrants Can Get Driver’s Licenses in Some States

Laws recently passed in states around the country are adding to the list of states where undocumented immigrants can get driving licenses.  The new laws even benefit undocumented immigrants who are not recipients of “Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).”  The hitch is that driver’s licenses for undocumented immigrants will not work as identification for federal purposes in most of the states issuing these licenses, meaning that immigrants will not be able to use their new  licenses to board planes or to enter federal courthouses.  But, most importantly, the new laws grant undocumented immigrants driving privileges and a form of state identification.

Here is a list of states where undocumented immigrants can obtain licenses (as of May 2013), even if they are not DACA recipients (for a list of states that issue licenses to DACA recipients see this Article):

•  Washington
• New Mexico
• Utah
• Illinois (will begin issuing in late 2013)
• Maryland (will begin issuing in early 2014)
• Oregon (will begin issuing in early 2014)
• Connecticut (will begin issuing in January 2015)

A number of other states are currently considering legislation that would allow them to issue driver’s licenses to undocumented immigrants.  For more information on the eligibility requirements for driver’s licenses in the states listed above, contact the nearest Department of Motor Vehicles.  And remember, you cannot get a license from one of the states listed above unless live in the state and can prove state residency.


Carly Stadum-Liang, Esq.

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