You can get a driver’s license with an ITIN number in 19 states and the District of Columbia, which issue licenses or driving privilege cards without requiring a Social Security Number or proof of lawful immigration status. The license you receive is a limited-purpose document marked “Not for Federal Purposes” or similar language, so it works for everyday driving and insurance but not for boarding domestic flights or entering certain federal facilities. Each state sets its own eligibility rules, document requirements, and fees.
States That Issue Licenses to ITIN Holders
The states currently offering this option are California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington, along with the District of Columbia. Minnesota was the most recent addition, in 2023.1National Conference of State Legislatures. States Offering Driver’s Licenses to Immigrants
If you live outside these states, an ITIN alone generally will not qualify you for a license. Most other states require either a Social Security Number or documentation of authorized immigration status. Driving without a valid license carries real penalties everywhere, from fines and misdemeanor charges to vehicle impoundment, so confirm your state’s current rules before applying. This is also a politically active area of law. Some legislatures have moved to repeal these programs, others to expand them, so check your state DMV’s website for the latest eligibility rules.
What Kind of License You Get
The license issued to ITIN holders is not a REAL ID-compliant credential. It is typically marked with language like “Not for Federal Purposes” or “Federal Limits Apply” to signal that it was issued without proof of lawful status or an SSN.1National Conference of State Legislatures. States Offering Driver’s Licenses to Immigrants Some states call it a “driving privilege card” or “driver authorization card” rather than a standard license.
For everyday driving, it works exactly like any other license. It proves you passed the required tests, and it satisfies the legal requirement to carry a license while behind the wheel. The validity period, however, is often shorter. Standard licenses typically last four to eight years, while limited-purpose licenses may need renewal every one to three years depending on the state. That means more frequent DMV visits and additional renewal fees over time.
Documents You’ll Need
Requirements vary by state, but DMVs generally ask for documents in three categories: proof of identity, proof of state residency, and proof of your ITIN.
Proof of Identity
A valid, unexpired foreign passport is the most widely accepted identity document. Many states also accept a consular identification card from your country of citizenship, such as a Mexican matrícula consular. Some accept a foreign birth certificate or other government-issued photo ID. If a document is not in English, plan to provide a certified English translation from a translator who affirms the translation is complete and accurate.
Proof of Residency
Expect to bring at least two documents showing your name and current address in the state. Utility bills, bank statements, lease agreements, and mortgage statements are commonly accepted. Some states also take pay stubs or official mail from government agencies. A few require a minimum period of residency, and some use state income tax returns from the prior one or two years as the primary residency proof.
ITIN Documentation
Bring your IRS ITIN assignment letter (CP 565 or CP 567) or your most recent federal tax return showing the ITIN. Some states accept other IRS correspondence. Confirm your ITIN is still active before you apply. If your ITIN has not appeared on a federal tax return for three consecutive years, the IRS considers it expired, and some state DMVs will not accept an expired number.2Internal Revenue Service. How to Renew an ITIN
Keep Your ITIN Current
An ITIN that has not been used on a federal tax return for three consecutive years expires on December 31 of that third year.2Internal Revenue Service. How to Renew an ITIN An expired ITIN can hold up your license renewal in states that require a valid number.
Renewing an ITIN means filing IRS Form W-7 with supporting identification. You can mail the renewal to the IRS Austin Service Center, apply in person at an IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center, or use a Certifying Acceptance Agent.3Internal Revenue Service. How to Apply for an ITIN Applying in person means your original documents get verified and returned the same day rather than sitting with the IRS for weeks. Build in time either way, because processing can take several weeks.
The Application Process
Once your documents are together, the process follows the general driver’s license path, though the timeline is often longer for ITIN applicants.
Start by completing the application, usually available online. Many DMV offices require or strongly encourage appointments rather than walk-ins. At the office, you submit your documents, have your photo taken, and pay the application fee. Fees vary but generally fall between $25 and $80 for the initial license.
You take a vision screening and a written knowledge test on traffic laws, road signs, and safe driving. Many states offer the written test in multiple languages, including Spanish, Chinese, and Korean. Free driver’s manuals and practice tests are usually available in those same languages. After passing the written test, you schedule a road test, where an examiner rides along and evaluates your driving. Bring a licensed driver and an insured, registered vehicle to that appointment. Passing all tests gets you a temporary paper license, with the permanent card arriving by mail within a few weeks.
One thing that catches applicants off guard: some states run document verification through the federal SAVE system. The automated check usually takes seconds, but if your documents get flagged for additional verification, the manual review can take about 18 federal workdays.4U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. SAVE Verification Response Time A flag does not necessarily mean anything is wrong, but do not count on walking out with your license the same day.
What This License Won’t Do
Commercial Driver’s Licenses
Federal law draws a hard line on CDLs. To get one, you must provide proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residency, using documents like a U.S. passport, certified birth certificate, certificate of naturalization, or permanent resident card.5eCFR. 49 CFR 383.71 – Driver Application and Certification An ITIN does not satisfy this, and no state can override the federal standard. If your income depends on commercial driving, this is a significant limitation to understand upfront.
Airports and Federal Buildings
Since May 7, 2025, TSA checkpoints no longer accept non-REAL-ID-compliant driver’s licenses for domestic flights.6Transportation Security Administration. TSA Publishes Final Rule on REAL ID Enforcement Beginning May 7, 2025 Because ITIN-based licenses are specifically marked as non-compliant, they will not get you through airport security on their own.
You have two alternatives. First, present a different acceptable ID at the checkpoint. A valid foreign passport is the most practical option for most ITIN holders, but TSA also accepts a U.S. passport card, permanent resident card, DHS trusted traveler card, U.S. Employment Authorization Card, and several other documents.7Transportation Security Administration. Acceptable Identification at the TSA Checkpoint Second, starting February 1, 2026, TSA offers a fallback called ConfirmID. For a $45 fee, travelers without acceptable ID can undergo additional identity verification at the checkpoint. TSA warns the process can take up to 30 minutes and may cause a missed flight, so it is a last resort rather than a routine option.8Transportation Security Administration. $45 Fee Option for Air Travelers Without a REAL ID Begins February 1
The same limits apply to entering certain federal facilities and nuclear power plants. If you regularly need access to those places, carry your passport or another accepted ID.
Getting Auto Insurance
A valid license, even a limited-purpose one, opens the door to auto insurance. Most states require drivers to carry liability coverage, and most insurers require a valid license before they will write a policy. Without the license, you are locked out of both legal driving and affordable coverage.
ITIN holders often face higher premiums than other drivers. Insurers typically treat someone without a U.S. driving history as a new driver regardless of years of experience abroad. Limited credit history, common for people without an SSN, can also push rates higher in states that allow credit-based pricing. Shop around, because some insurers specialize in this market and others will not write the policy at all.
Driving without insurance is a separate legal problem on top of driving without a license. In most states, getting caught means fines, license suspension, and potentially years of expensive SR-22 filings. The cost of SR-22 coverage dwarfs standard rates, so getting insured from day one saves real money.
Privacy and Voter Registration
Many states that issue these licenses have passed laws restricting when the DMV can share applicant information with federal immigration authorities. The most common approach limits disclosure to situations involving a court order, judicial warrant, or criminal subpoena, and several states explicitly exclude civil immigration enforcement. Some prohibit DMV employees from responding to immigration agency inquiries without a judicial warrant reviewed by the governor’s office or attorney general. Others have terminated federal immigration agencies’ access to state motor vehicle databases entirely. The strength of these protections varies, and policies can shift with state leadership, so look up your own state’s current law or ask a local immigrant legal aid organization.
Some states also use DMV transactions to trigger automatic voter registration, which raises real concerns for non-citizen applicants because registering to vote as a non-citizen is a federal crime. The systems have safeguards: applicants who indicate they are not U.S. citizens, who present immigration documents or consular IDs, or who apply for a driving privilege card rather than a standard license are excluded from automatic registration. Still, read every form carefully, answer any citizenship question honestly, and decline voter registration if the option appears.