If you are an immigrant to the United States under unauthorized or undocumented circumstances, you can still obtain a driver’s license in some states.
These driver’s licenses are sometimes referred to as drive-only licenses, non-ID driver’s licenses, limited purpose driver’s licenses, or driving privilege cards.
While these licenses cannot be used for federal identification purposes like airline travel, they do provide a means of obtaining a valid driver’s license or identification card for those who cannot provide a Social Security number or documents of legal presence.
The application process is mostly identical to apply for a standard driver’s license. The main difference is the types of documentation you’ll need to provide to the DMV to receive one.
The following states have made driver’s licenses available to unauthroized or undocumented immigrants:
- California (AB 60)
- Colorado (SB 251)
- Connecticut (HB 6495)
- Delaware (SB 59)
- Hawaii (HB 1007)
- Illinois (SB 957)
- Maryland (SB 715)
- New Jersey (AB 4743)
- New Mexico (HB 173)
- New York (SB 1747, AB 3675)
- Nevada (SB 303)
- Oregon (HB 2015)
- Utah (SB 227)
- Vermont (SB 38)
- Washington (HB 1444)
- Washington DC (B 275)
Documents that can typically be used instead of a Social Security number, U.S. birth certificate, or legal presence documents include:
- Foreign birth certificates.
- Foreign passports.
- Consular cards.
- Evidence of state residency.
Many of these state bills also have clauses that protect the identities of applicants and/or limit how application can be shared.
Please note that most DMV will only accept identification documents that are in English. If the original documents are not in English, they’ll need to be translated and certified by the translator.
To learn about the full licensing process in your state, please visit our pages on applying for a driver’s license.
Continue reading for more information on the process of apply for driver’s licenses for undocumented immigrants in the states listed above.
California AB60 Driver’s License
To apply for a California driver’s license as an undocumented, non-citizen:
- Complete a Driver’s License Application.
- Provide proof of your identity and California residency.
- Pass the driver’s license written test.
- Pass a vision exam.
- Provide a thumb print.
- Take your picture.
- Pay the application fees.
- Schedule and pass a road test, if necessary.
For more information, please visit the California DMV page on the topic: https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/ab60
Colorado SB251 Driver’s License
To apply for a Colorado driver’s license when you are unable to demonstrate lawful presence:
- Schedule an appointment first.
- Provide proof of your name, date of birth, identity, ITIN, and Colorado residency.
- Complete an application.
- Pass the written exam.
- Schedule and pass a road test if necessary.
- Pay the application fees.
For more information, please visit the Colorado DMV page on the topic: https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/dmv/co-rcsa-sb251-driver-licenses-and-ids
Connecticut Drive Only License
To apply for a Drive-Only driver’s license in Connecticut:
- Schedule an appointment.
- Complete an application.
- Provide proof of your identity and Connecticut residency.
- Pass the driver’s license written test.
- Pass the vision exam.
- Sign an affidavit that states you have filed or will file an application to legalize your immigration status.
- Schedule and pass a road test if necessary.
- Pay the application and testing fees.
For more information, please visit the Connecticut DMV page on the topic: https://portal.ct.gov/DMV/Licenses/Licenses/Drive-Only-License-Process
Delaware Driving Privilege Card (DPC)
To apply for a Delaware Driving Privilege Card as a non-citizen:
- Contact the Delaware State Bureau of Identification to begin the application process.
- Obtain a Certification of Filing Compliance from the Division of Revenue.
- Visit the Delaware DMV on the date provided to you by the SBI.
- Provide your identification and Delaware residency documents.
- Pass a knowledge exam.
- Pass a vision exam.
- Hold your permit for at least 10 days before taking and passing the road test.
- Pay the application and testing fees.
For more information, please visit the Delaware DMV page on the topic: https://www.dmv.de.gov/DriverServices/drivers_license/DPC/index.shtml
Hawaii Limited Purpose Driver License
To apply for a limited purpose driver’s license in Hawaii, you’ll need to provide proof of your identity and Hawaii residency when you apply at the DMV.
For more information, please visit the Hawaii DMV page on the topic: http://www.honolulu.gov/cms-csd-menu/site-csd-sitearticles/34652-limited-purpose-driver-license.html
Illinois Temporary Visitor Driver’s License (TVDL)
To apply for a TVDL in Illinois as a non-visa status Illinois resident:
- Visit an SOS TVDL facility. Make an appointment if you need to visit the Chicago North or Chicago West locations.
- If you are 18 to 20 years old, provide proof of completion of your 6-hour driver’s education course.
- Provide proof of your identity and Illinois residency.
- Pass the written test and road test, if necessary.
- Pay the application fees.
For more information, please visit the Illinois SOS page on the topic: https://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/drivers/TVDL/home.html
Maryland Non-Compliant Driver’s License
To apply for a non-compliant driver’s license in Maryland:
- Schedule an appointment with the MVC.
- Apply for an individual taxpayer identification number with the IRS.
- File income taxes in Maryland for 2 years before you apply for a driver’s license. Obtain a certification letter from the IRS.
- Provide proof of your identity and Maryland residency.
- Pass the driver’s license written test.
- Pass the road test, if required.
- Pay the application fees.
For more information, please visit the Maryland MVA page on the topic: http://www.mva.maryland.gov/announcements/non-compliant-driver-license-ID-cards.htm
New Jersey Driver’s License for Non-Citizens
To apply for a non-citizen driver’s license in New Jersey:
- Complete an application.
- Provide proof of your identity and residency.
- Pass the written test.
- Pass a vision test.
- Pass a road test if necessary.
- Pay the application fees.
For more information, please visit the New Jersey MVC page on the topic: https://www.state.nj.us/mvc/drivertopics/noncitizens.htm
New Mexico Standard Driver’s License
To obtain a standard driver’s license as an undocumented non-citizen in New Mexico:
- Provide 1 proof of your age and identity.
- Provide 2 proofs of your New Mexico residency.
- Pass the written test.
- Pass the vision exam.
- Pass the road test, if necessary.
- Pay the application fees.
- Complete an application.
For more information, please visit the New Mexico MVD page on the topic: http://www.mvd.newmexico.gov/apply-for-new-driver-s-license.aspx
New York Standard Driver’s License
To apply for a non-citizen driver’s license in New York:
- Visit the DMV.
- Complete an application.
- Provide proof of your identity and New York residency.
- Pass the required tests.
- Pay the application fees.
For more information, please visit the New York DMV page on the topic: https://dmv.ny.gov/more-info/resources-non-us-citizens
Nevada Driver Authorization Cards
To apply for a Nevada driver authorization card:
- Provide proof of your identity.
- Provide proof of your Nevada residency.
- Complete an application.
- Pass the written and road tests.
- Pass a vision exam.
- Pay the fees.
For more information, please visit the Nevada DMV page on the topic: https://dmvnv.com/dac.htm
Oregon Non-Citizen Driver’s License
To apply for an Oregon non-citizen driver’s license:
- Complete an application.
- Provide proof of your identity and Oregon residency.
- Pass an eye exam.
- Pass the written test.
- Pass a road test.
- Take your picture.
- Pay the fees.
For more information, please visit the Oregon DMV page on the topic: https://www.oregon.gov/odot/DMV/pages/driverid/licenseget.aspx
Utah Driving Privilege Card
To apply for a Utah DPC:
- Schedule an appointment and visit the DPS office.
- Take a photo.
- Complete an application.
- Provide proof of driving privilege in another state or country or proof of completion of driver’s education.
- Provide proof of your identity.
- Provide 2 documents proving your Utah residency.
- Provide a fingerprint.
- Pass the written knowledge exam.
- Pass a vision exam.
- Pass a road skills test.
- Pay the application and testing fees.
For more information, please visit the Utah DPS page on the topic: https://dld.utah.gov/license-permit-idcard/driving-privilege-card-dpc/
Vermont Driver Privilege Card
To receive a Vermont driver privilege card:
- Complete an application.
- Provide proof of your identity and residency.
- Pass the necessary tests.
- Pay the fees.
For more information, please visit the Vermont DMV page on the topic: https://dmv.vermont.gov/licenses/types-of-licenses-ids/driver-privilege-card
Washington Non-Citizen Driver’s License
Visit the Washington DOL, provide proof of your residency and identity, pass the necessary exams, pay the fees.
For more information, please visit the Washington DOL page on the topic: https://www.dol.wa.gov/driverslicense/idproof.html
Washington DC Driver’s Licenses for Non-US Citizens
To obtain a Washington DC driver’s license as a non-citizen:
- Provide proof of your ability to drive, if applicable.
- Complete an application.
- Provide proof of your identity and residency.
- Pass the written exam.
- Pass the road test, if necessary.
- Pay the application fees.
For more information, please visit the Washington DC DMV page on the topic: https://dmv.dc.gov/service/driver-license-for-non-us-citizens