The safe and responsible drive act ab 60 came into effect on january 2, 2015, and allows all eligible californians to apply for a drivers license, regardless of. Schedule a future appointment for the behindthewheel driving test, if applicable. Ab 60 drivers license holders aclu of southern california. Applicants under 18 applying for an original driver license will also need to. Make an appointment with the department of motor vehicles.
California residents who cannot provide proof of legal presence in the u. Dmv confirms ice has limited access to ab 60 license information. There will soon be a million california drivers who obtained their driver licenses under a state law that allowed. New law would limit access to drivers license records of.
What you need to know about california realid drivers. Known as an ab 60 license, it is available from the california dmv without a social security number to immigrants who can prove they are california residents. Even so, part of ab 60 requires that police officers in california not discriminate based on immigration status or the fact that the driver holds an ab 60 drivers license. Make an appointment before visiting a dmv office walkins are only accepted at our driver license processing. Under ab 60, any california resident is able to apply for a drivers license, regardless of immigration status. Assembly bill ab 60 requires dmv to issue an original driver license to an applicant who is unable to submit satisfactory proof that his or her presence in the united states is authorized under federal law. Faq ab 60 drivers license san diego immigration lawyers law. The safe and responsible driver act, better known as assembly bill 60 california ab 60, was signed into law in 20. Under the law, undocumented drivers have the ability to drive legally and acquire. According to the california dmv, the changes dont apply to the nearly 1 million immigrants who have driver s licenses under ab 60, the. Applying for a california driver license under ab 60 aclu. Provide the required proof of identification and residency. Under ab 60, any california resident is able to apply for a driver s license, regardless of immigration. Undocumented immigrant drivers licenses top 900,000 in ca.
May 22, 2018 as of january 1, 2015, undocumented immigrants have been able to get a drivers license in california. Drivers licenses for illegal immigrants in the united. California motor voter california secretary of state. Apr 04, 2018 to qualify for a drivers license under ab 60, applicants must prove their identity and residency in california. For further assistance in providing the proper documentation, select ab 60 checklist. You can make an appointment online at the dmv s website, call 180077703, or use the dmv now app on your iphone or android device. The california driver s license under ab 60 is meant to be used for driving purposes only. Undocumented immigrants can lawfully drive in california with an ab 60 license. State law requires motorists to prove identity and legal presence to obtain a driver license. California governor jerry brown signed assembly bill 60 ab 60 into law.
It cannot be used as proof of identification in any way. To apply for your california driver license under ab60, you will need to. Applying for a california driver license under ab 60. According to the california dmv, the changes dont apply to the nearly 1 million immigrants who have driver s licenses under ab 60, the law that allows unauthorized immigrants in the state to apply for the licenses. Jul 26, 2017 as of june 2017, california has issued more than 900,000 drivers licenses for undocumented immigrants under assembly bill 60. Jan 20, 2015 for this reason, it is very useful to know what ab 60 license holders rights are when they come into contact with state and local law enforcement i.
Beginning january 1, 2015, the california dmv is implementing new driver s licenses to accommodate foreigners who are in the u. Apr 03, 2017 adilene sanchez, who now has a california drivers license under ab 60, drives with daughter, kamila fierro, 17 months, in san jose, calif. Should an undocumented immigrant get an ab60 drivers license. For more information, view an example of ab 60 california driver license. Dec 10, 2014 you may legally drive in california and use your ab 60 drivers license as legal identification in certain situations. Governor brown signed ab 60 into law in 20, which directs the department of motor vehicles dmv to issue a drivers license to any california resident who is eligible, regardless of immigration status.
Mar 08, 2018 all applicants for ab 60 licenses are required to visit a dmv office, or dmv driver license processing center, and pass certain tests in order to complete the initial application a process. Jun 08, 2018 driver license applicants under ab 60 must meet all other qualifications for licensure and must provide satisfactory proof of identity and california residency. There are certain drivers license costs that are worth noting before you fill out the ca drivers license application. This is the same form used by all drivers license applicants in california. On the day the applicant applies for a driver license, he or she will need to take a knowledge test. Ab 60 is a new state law that allows immigrants living in california to get a drivers license. Adilene sanchez, who now has a california driver s license under ab 60, drives with daughter, kamila fierro, 17 months, in san jose, calif. As of january 2015, eligible california residents can receive a drivers license, regardless of their immigration status.
Governor brown signed ab 60 into law in 20, which directs the department of motor vehicles dmv to issue a driver s license to any california resident who is eligible, regardless of immigration status. Ab 60 driver license immigrant legal resource center ilrc. If you present your ab 60 license in a state other than california. With an instruction permit, you can practice driving with a licensed adult until you are ready to take the driving test at the dmv. Our california ab 60 course helps you pass the written exam at the dmv. The license will carry a distinguishing mark indicating that it is an ab 60 license, as well as a message explaining that it is a drivingonly license.
Applicants applying for a driving license under ab 60 can now make an appointment online, on the dmv now iphone android applications or by phone at 1800. Now immigrant parents can get drivers licenses so that they. Sign an affidavit stating that you are ineligible for a social security number or similar legal. The dmv began accepting driver license applications under assembly bill 60 ab 60 on january 2, 2015. We want to make it easy for you to get your license. Once your eligibility to vote is determined, you will be registered to vote. The drive california coalition is a statewide coalition of immigrants rights advocates, communitybased organizations, service providers, faithbased organizations and workers rights advocates. Please visit our ca ab 60 law page for regulations and required documents for an ab 60 license. Of course, this leaves open the question regarding discrimination outside california. Evidence scant californias licensed illegal immigrant.
Dec 30, 2014 the safe and responsible driver act, better known as assembly bill 60 california ab 60, was signed into law in 20. Applying for an ab 60 drivers license know your rights. Jackson to host ab 60 drivers license law workshop on. Undocumented immigrants fear ice is obtaining their home address from ab 60 licenses when california passed a law creating a driver s license for undocumented residents.
Now january 2, 2015, all eligible california residents will be able to apply for a driver s license, regardless of immigration status. Starting january 1st, 2015 ab 60 drivers licenses will be available for california residents regardless of immigration status. When will the ab 60 driver s license become available. If you indicate that you are eligible to vote, once you complete your dmv transaction online, by mail, or in person, your voter information is transmitted securely and electronically to the california secretary of state. However, they must still meet all other requirements to obtain a driver license, including providing proof of identity and california residency. Individuals applying for or renewing an ab 60 driver license are not eligible to receive a real id driver license or identification card. California allows undocumented immigrants to apply for and obtain a driver s license, known as an ab 60 license. Drivers under ab 60 are not tracked or singled out any differently. This means that an applicant who is undocumented can receive a driver s license under ab 60. Applications for ab 60 driver license are accepted starting from january 1 st, 2015. As of january 2015, any eligible california resident can receive a drivers license, regardless of their immigration status. Your ab 60 license is a valid california driver s license.
Under the new law, all california residents can apply for a california drivers license, regardless of their immigration status. Undocumented immigrants fear ice is obtaining their home. For more information on getting your ab 60 license, check out our ab 60 information center. California law granting drivers licenses to undocumented. Under ab 60, motorists who cannot prove legal presence must prove identity and california residencyand pass the required vision test, driver license knowledge test, and the behindthewheel drive testto obtain a license. Mar 16, 2015 with the passage of ab 60, california became one of the ten states providing drivers licenses to undocumented immigrants. Apr 05, 2018 california drivers license program for those here illegally surpasses 1 million drivers. Applicants under 18 applying for ab60 driver license will also need to submit proof of. Dmv confirms ice has limited access to ab 60 license information immigration advocates and attorneys say a law that was designed to help undocumented immigrants obtain california driver licenses. Customers applying for an original driver license will need to do the following. Applications for ca immigrant drivers licenses declining as. California will automatically register illegal immigrants to vote. Driver license the california department of motor vehicles. You may legally drive in california and use your ab 60 driver s license as legal identification in certain situations applying for an ab 60 driver s license.
Once you pass the driving test, youll get your license. This bill would require the department to issue an original driver s license to a person who is unable to submit satisfactory proof that the applicants presence in the united states is authorized under federal law if he or she meets all other qualifications for licensure and provides satisfactory proof to the department of his or her identity and california. An ab60 license allows an undocumented immigrant to. Ab 60 was a great step forward for california s immigrant communities. You see, those licenses dont comply with the real id. The california dmv has begun issuing federallycompliant real id driver s licenses in addition to standard noncompliant driver s licenses.
Applications for ca immigrant driver s licenses declining as numbers near 1m. This means that an applicant who is undocumented can receive a drivers license under ab 60. Your rights with an ab 60 drivers license aclu of san. An applicant who doesnt have proof of lawful presence will receive an ab 60 license, which will have a visible distinguishing feature. Why did the dmv send me a ab 60 drivers license when im not. There are special regulations and required documents for an ab 60 license. Drivers licenses ab 60 california immigrant policy center. Sacramento the california department of motor vehicles dmv today posted the list of documents that applicants will use to obtain a california driver license under ab 60 the new law requiring dmv to issue a driver license to individuals who can prove identity and california. Nov 26, 2018 the california department of justice has offered up a clarification regarding those who use an ab 60 license to try and purchase firearms.
Applicants applying for a driver license under ab 60 can now make an appointment online, on the dmv now iphone android applications or by phone at 180077703, to visit a dmv office. Applying for a real id requires proofs of identity, social security number ssn if eligible, california residency, and a trip to a dmv office. Driver license applicants under ab 60 must meet all other qualifications for licensure and must provide satisfactory proof of identity and california residency. Individuals applying for or renewing an ab 60 driver license are not eligible to receive a real id driver license. California commercial driver license documents list pdf senior driver. Beginning january 1, 2015, immigrants without legal immigration status will be able to apply for a california driver license under ab 60. Federal real id act, which requires in part that all state dmv s across the country must conduct an immigration check valid ssn prior to issuance of an official driver s license. Applying for a california drivers license under ab 60 aclu of. If you present your ab 60 license in a state other than california, you may be at risk depending on the laws and policies of that state. Immigrants and allies worked tirelessly to pass assembly bill 60, the safe and responsible drivers act. Starting on january 1, 2015, you can apply for an ab 60 drivers license.
You should always make an appointment before going to the dmv. Sep 24, 2014 that marking strongly indicates an ab 60 drivers license. How does this affect ab 60 driver s license holders. The following steps will assist individuals who are unable to submit satisfactory proof of legal presence in the united states in determining the appropriate documents necessary to obtain a california driver license pursuant to assembly bill ab 60.
Dmv surpasses 1 million driver licenses under ab 60. For this reason, it is very useful to know what ab 60 license holders rights are when they come into contact with state and local law enforcement i. Ab 60 what you need to know the california department. Jul 24, 2017 the california dmv announced drivers under age 70 with an expiring license can delay renewal until the end of may. Ab 60 represents an enormous victory for the immigrant communities and for the state as a whole.
If you or someone you know has an ab 60 license, here are some key points. Anyone located in the united states illegally can still obtain a legal drivers license to operate a motor vehicle in the state of california, as long as they meet all the requirements. Once you pass the written exam, youll get an instruction permit. California drivers license program for those here illegally. The coalition is committed to successful implementation of ab 60 and drivers licenses for all. Undocumented immigrant drivers licenses top 900,000 in ca the. Ab 60 applicant resources how to apply for your original driver license.
How to get a california ab 60 driver license citizenpath. In other words, california residents who do not have satisfactory proof of lawful immigration status can now receive an ab 60 driver s license. According to the department of motor vehicles, 12 percent of california drivers do not have a valid drivers license. Beginning january 1, 2015, any eligible california resident will be able to receive a driver license, regardless of immigration status. Ca law officers may not arrest or discriminate against a driver who shows them this form of identification. Applying for a california drivers license under ab 60 aclu. This bill would require the department to issue an original drivers license to a person who is unable to submit satisfactory proof that the applicants presence in the united states is authorized under federal law if he or she meets all other qualifications for licensure and provides satisfactory proof to the department of his or her identity and california residency. Dmv lists documents required for new driver license under. However, they must still meet all other requirements to obtain a driver license, including providing proof of identity and california. Complete a driver license or identification card application. California ab 60 and the federal real id act allan s. Our california criminal and immigration lawyers explain all undocumented aliens need to know about ca driver. California assemblyman frazier authors ab 63 driver license. To qualify for an ab60 license, a person must be able to prove his or her identity.
Apr 12, 2019 californias ab60 driver license program was labeled as a solution to the states uninsured motorist problem. Faq ab 60 drivers license san diego immigration lawyers. Sacramento the california department of motor vehicles dmv today began accepting new driver license applications under ab 60the new law requiring dmv to issue a driver license to applicants who can prove identity and california residence and meet all other licensing requirements, such as passing the driver license knowledge and behind. An applicant who does not have proof of lawful presence will receive an ab 60 license, which will have a visible distinguishing feature. If an immigrant has not violated the law, it is generally safe to apply for a drivers license.
California highway patrol, sheriff, or police officers. Should an undocumented immigrant get an ab60 drivers license in. Motor vehicles field offices are closed during the coronavirus, or covid19. Should an undocumented immigrant get an ab60 drivers. Should undocumented immigrants apply for an ab 60 drivers. Starting on january 1, 2015, you can apply for an ab 60 drivers license, even if you do not have proof of legal presence in the united states. The coalition is committed to successful implementation of ab 60 and drivers. Applying for a california drivers license under ab 60. Immigrants and allies worked tirelessly to pass assembly bill 60, the safe and responsible driver s act. Dmv confirms ice has limited access to ab 60 license. An applicant who does not have proof of lawful presence will receive an ab 60 license, which will have a visible distinguishing feature to be determined.
Your ab 60 license is a valid california drivers license. The ab 60 license looks different than a regular california drivers license. Starting friday, january 2, 2015, the california department of motor vehicles dmv will begin issuing driver licenses under ab 60 the new law requiring dmv to issue a driver license to. Joel hernandez believes ice agents found his home address based on information he shared with the state of california for an ab 60 drivers. California began implementing the law in early 2015. Dmv lists new documents required for driver license under. Applicants under ab 60 are not required to submit proof of legal presence in the united states.
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