Can Undocumented Immigrants Get a Driver’s License? States, Rules, Risks

Yes — undocumented immigrants can get a driver’s license in twenty U.S. jurisdictions: nineteen states and the District of Columbia. The remaining states do not issue them. Because no federal law controls who receives a state driver’s license, eligibility depends entirely on where you live.1National Conference of State Legislatures. States Offering Driver’s Licenses to Immigrants

Where You Can Apply

The following jurisdictions allow undocumented residents to apply for a driver’s license or driving privilege card:

  • California
  • Colorado
  • Connecticut
  • Delaware
  • District of Columbia
  • Hawaii
  • Illinois
  • Maryland
  • Massachusetts
  • Minnesota
  • Nevada
  • New Jersey
  • New Mexico
  • New York
  • Oregon
  • Rhode Island
  • Utah
  • Vermont
  • Virginia
  • Washington

Each state sets its own rules for documents, fees, and what the card looks like. If you don’t live in one of these jurisdictions, applying isn’t an option in the state where you reside, and moving briefly to a state that issues these licenses won’t work either — every issuing state requires proof of in-state residency.1National Conference of State Legislatures. States Offering Driver’s Licenses to Immigrants

What You’ll Need to Bring

Identity

Every state requires at least one document proving who you are. The most commonly accepted are an unexpired foreign passport and a consular identification card. Some states also accept a foreign birth certificate or a national ID card from your home country.1National Conference of State Legislatures. States Offering Driver’s Licenses to Immigrants

Residency

You’ll need documents showing your name and a current in-state address. Utility bills, signed leases, bank statements, and medical or insurance documents all work in most states. Some states require two residency documents rather than one, so check your DMV’s list before your appointment.

Social Security Number or ITIN

This is where requirements split sharply. Some states require an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number. Others ask you to sign a sworn statement that you’ve never been issued a Social Security number. Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, and New Mexico don’t require either. Rhode Island asks for proof that you filed state taxes in the prior year. If your state requires an ITIN and you don’t have one, apply to the IRS before starting the license process.

The Application and Testing Process

Start by downloading the application from your state’s DMV website. You’ll fill in your full legal name, date of birth, and residential address. Schedule an appointment rather than walking in; wait times for walk-ins can run for hours.

At the appointment, staff will review your application and supporting documents, then move you through three tests. First is a vision screening. Second is a written knowledge test covering traffic laws, road signs, and safe driving. Many states offer the written test in dozens of languages, so ask about language options when you schedule. The final step is a behind-the-wheel driving test with an examiner.

Fees range from roughly $4 to over $80 depending on state and license duration. Some states let you choose between a four-year and eight-year license. Check the fee schedule before your visit and confirm accepted payment methods; not every office takes cash or credit cards.

What the License Can and Can’t Do

These licenses look different from standard licenses on purpose. They carry printed phrases like “Federal Limits Apply,” “Not for Federal Identification,” or “Driving Privilege Only.” They are not REAL ID–compliant.2USAGov. How to Get a REAL ID and Use It for Travel

Since REAL ID enforcement began on May 7, 2025, a non-compliant license cannot be used to board a domestic commercial flight, enter a federal government building, or access a military installation.3Transportation Security Administration. REAL ID A valid foreign passport is still an acceptable alternative for domestic flights.

The license remains fully valid for what it was designed for: driving, buying auto insurance, and serving as a state-level ID for everyday purposes like opening a bank account or picking up prescriptions. For employment paperwork, a state-issued driver’s license counts as a List B identity document on Form I-9, even with restrictive markings. USCIS guidance states directly that licenses with restrictive notations are acceptable for I-9 purposes.4U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Form I-9 Acceptable Documents A List B document only establishes identity, though. You still need a separate List C document, such as an employment authorization card, to prove you’re allowed to work.

On insurance, you don’t need a Social Security number to buy a policy. Insurers aren’t required to ask for one, and many companies will write coverage using your driver’s license number and ITIN. Some carriers are more experienced with non-SSN applications than others, so shop around.

Driving Across State Lines Is the Real Risk

States generally recognize each other’s driver’s licenses under longstanding reciprocity, but a growing number have passed laws specifically invalidating licenses issued to undocumented residents by other states. Florida became the first in 2023, making it a misdemeanor to drive in Florida with a license from a class issued exclusively to people who couldn’t prove lawful presence. Wyoming and Tennessee have enacted similar bans, and other states have considered comparable legislation.

If you’re pulled over in one of these states with a non-compliant out-of-state license, you can be cited for driving without a valid license, the same charge as having no license at all. Before any road trip, check whether your destination state recognizes your license type. The issuing state’s DMV website often notes which states have flagged its non-compliant licenses. When in doubt, avoid driving through states known to have enacted these bans.

What Happens to Your Application Information

Many applicants worry that applying will put their information in a database accessible to immigration authorities. Several issuing states have enacted laws directly addressing this. Protections vary but typically restrict sharing DMV records with federal immigration agencies without a judicial warrant, prohibit DMV employees from responding to civil immigration enforcement inquiries, and classify application documents as non-public records releasable only under court order.

California law states that information collected during the application process is not a public record and that immigration enforcement does not qualify as an urgent health or safety need that would justify releasing it without a court order. New York restricts access so thoroughly that federal immigration agencies have reportedly been unable to reach the records through standard law enforcement databases. Maryland’s Driver Privacy Act blocks its motor vehicle agency from sharing license information with ICE without a warrant.

No state can guarantee absolute protection from every federal action, but the trend among issuing states has been toward stronger data protections. If privacy is a serious concern for you, research your specific state’s rules before applying. Community organizations that serve immigrant populations often track these policies closely and can give current guidance.