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If it is possible that the undocumented have a driver’s license in the United States! At this time, many undocumented immigrants have a driver’s license and are driving freely without fear of being stopped by police driving illegally or receiving a ticket for not having a license.
According to several opinions, the easiest states to get an undocumented driver’s license are:
- New Mexico
- Washington (state)
- Connecticut
States that offer undocumented driver’s licenses
Among the states that offer undocumented driver’s licenses are:
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Hawaii
- Illinois
- Maryland
- new Mexico
- Nevada
- Utah
- Vermont
- Washington
- Washington DC
California
Issues licenses for undocumented immigrants since: January 1, 2015
The law requires that the Department of Motors and Vehicles (DMV) issue a California driver’s license to anyone who can successfully establish residence in California, including undocumented immigrants.
If the driver cannot show proof of being a legal resident (or show a social security number, for example), the license will have a distinctive mark. The law makes it illegal to discriminate against anyone who has a driver’s license with that mark. The license cannot be used for identification purposes .
Colorado
Issues licenses for undocumented immigrants since: August 1, 2014
The law grants driver’s licenses to people who filed the tax return in the state of Colorado the previous year and can show proof of current state residence.
People who have an individual taxpayer identification (commonly known as Tax ID or ITIN) and proof of residence in Colorado for 24 months also qualify. It is necessary to present a passport, consular identification or military identification.
The license will have the words: “Not valid for federal identification, voting, or public benefits purposes.” (Not valid for federal identification, voting or public benefits).
Connecticut
Issues licenses for undocumented immigrants since: January 1, 2015
The law allows any individual who cannot provide a social security number or other proof of legal presence in the United States to obtain a driver’s license.
In order to have a license, it is necessary to present proof of identity (such as a passport) and proof of residence in Connecticut. It is necessary to sign an affidavit stating that an application will be submitted to legalize your immigration status or as soon as you are eligible.
This lay does not include people with a criminal record ( felony ). It is not possible to use the license as proof of identity or to vote. It is valid for 3 to 6 years.
Delaware
Issues licenses for undocumented immigrants since: December 27, 2015
The law approves licenses for undocumented immigrants with a special mark: ” driving privilege card “.
The applicant must show proof of filing a Delaware tax return or being dependent on someone who has filed a Delaware tax return for the past 2 years. The card is not for identification purposes.
Washington DC
Issues licenses for undocumented immigrants since: May 1, 2014
The law allows the issuance of licenses for undocumented immigrants (valid for 8 years). Applicants must prove to have resided in Washington DC for more than six months.
People who do not have a social security number and can provide proof of identity, date of birth and residence are eligible.
The license will have the Not valid for official federal purposes” mark.
Hawaii
Issues licenses for undocumented immigrants since: January 1, 2016
The law allows the issuance of driver’s licenses for undocumented immigrants. Applicants must submit proof of residency in Hawaii. This is, ironically, one of the least complicated procedures to obtain a driver’s license for immigrants.
Illinois
Issues licenses for undocumented immigrants since: November 28, 2013
Licenses are granted to people who are not eligible to have a social security number. People must have resided in Illinois for more than one year.
The applicant must present a valid passport or consular identification. The license will be valid for 3 years and cannot be used as proof of identity. It will have a special mark «TEMPORARY VISITOR» (temporary visitor).
Maryland
Issues licenses for undocumented immigrants since: January 1, 2014
The law grants undocumented licenses to people who have filed a Maryland tax return or are dependent on someone who filed a Maryland tax return for the past 2 years.
The driver’s license has a different design and colour than regular licenses. It cannot be used for federal identification purposes and cannot be used to buy a firearm.
Nevada
Issues licenses for undocumented immigrants since: January 1, 2014
The law stipulates that the DMV Director cannot disclose information about the legal status of any person applying for a driver’s license.
The license will be valid for 1 year and can be obtained by anyone who can prove their identity, age and residence in Nevada. The license will have minimal distinctive marks and cannot be used for identity purposes.
new Mexico
Issues licenses for undocumented immigrants since: 2003
The law allows the applicant to obtain a driver’s license using an individual identification number (known as ITIN, or Tax ID), regardless of immigration status.
Utah
Issues licenses for undocumented immigrants since: March 8, 2005
The law allows the DMV to issue a card marked “driving privilege” to people who can prove residency in Utah.
The license looks different and is marked “FOR DRIVING PRIVILEGES ONLY – NOT VALID FOR IDENTIFICATION” (for driving only – not valid as identification).
This license is valid for 1 year.
Vermont
Issues licenses for undocumented immigrants since: January 1, 2014
Undocumented immigrants living in Vermont can obtain an “operator’s privilege card” if they can prove their name, date and place of birth.
You will need a valid passport, a valid consular identification document or a birth, marriage, adoption or divorce certificate. The document does not have to be issued in the United States. You will also need proof of residency in Vermont.
The license will have the ” privilege card ” mark and cannot be used for federal identification. This license will expire midnight before the applicant’s second birthday after issuance. That is, it can have a maximum duration of 2 years.
Washington (state)
Issues licenses for undocumented immigrants since: July 25, 1993
Washington is the oldest state granting licenses for undocumented immigrants. The law allows driver’s licenses to be issued to people without a social insurance number.
It is necessary to prove that you have residence in Washington. Acceptable documents are any of these:
- Utility bill (cable, telephone, electricity, etc.)
- Car title
- Bank account statement
- Identification number for taxes (ITIN or Tax ID)
- Transcripts from a school in Washington or other school documents
- Washington recent marriage certificate
- Birth certificate of a child, as long as the document shows the name of the applicant
- Other documents may also be considered.
Is it possible to have a driver’s license being undocumented?
That the undocumented have a driver’s license in the United States, would make their lives much easier and avoid many unnecessary problems about the life of the immigrant living in the United States.
As Hispanics, we know that it is not easy to live in the United States. Apart from the difficulties we have in leaving our countries, some have to go through more difficult situations, such as being undocumented and not having a license in the United States.
That is why one of the most frequent questions we receive (almost daily) in our question mail and Facebook page is “Can undocumented immigrants be licensed in the United States?”
The driver’s license in the United States can facilitate your way of life and thus be able to improve yourself as an immigrant.
Where can undocumented immigrants have a driver’s license?
Although other states also issue them, at this time undocumented immigrants can easily obtain a driver’s license in New Mexico and in the state of Washington (which is not the same as Washington DC) using their country of origin identifications.
Driver’s licenses issued in these states are valid documents to drive in any state of the United States.
New Mexico and Washington driver licenses are legal documents issued by the local governments of these states.
How to obtain a driver’s license
If you intend to have a license in the United States and are willing to achieve it, follow these steps to achieve it:
If you live in the northern states of the United States (such as New Jersey, New York, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Vermont, Wisconsin, Illinois, etc.), it may be better for you to have a driver’s license in the state of Washington.
If you live in the southern states of the United States (such as Florida, Georgia, Texas, Louisiana, Tennessee, Mississippi, Virginia, etc.). You may consider obtaining a license in the state of New Mexico.
Why should you have a license in the United States?
You should never drive without a license in the United States. The advantages of having a license to drive legally in the United States are many.
For starters, undocumented immigrants can drive with total freedom in any part of the fifty states. You will not be afraid of being arrested or receiving a fine for not being licensed.
You will also save money on these fines (the cost can reach up to $ 300 in some US states) by not having a license.
In addition, you can get car insurance with your name, without using someone else’s insurance.
With a driver’s license, the undocumented can also buy or rent a car. In the long term you can also buy a house (although this has changed long after the economic crisis).
Apart from being a document that allows you to legally handle, you can be properly identified. You can enter government buildings with legitimate identification, travel by plane within the United States, open an account at the bank and start building credit in the United States.
With these advantages, there is no doubt that being licensed in the United States gives you an excellent advantage with undocumented.
Questions about undocumented licenses
How to obtain the undocumented driver’s license? If you have any advice or doubt about how an undocumented person can get a driver’s license in the United States, write a comment.