Can an Illegal Immigrant Get a Driver’s License in California?

An undocumented immigrant can get a driver’s license in California. Under Vehicle Code Section 12801.9, any California resident who cannot show proof of lawful presence in the United States can still apply for and receive a driver’s license, as long as they meet the DMV’s requirements for identity, residency, and driving competence.¹ The license is known as an AB 60 license, and on California roads it works the same as any other state license.

What the AB 60 License Does and Doesn’t Do

The AB 60 license grants full driving privileges in California. State and local law enforcement accept it the same way they accept any other California driver’s license during traffic stops, citations, and other interactions.²

It is only a license to drive. The card itself states that it is issued “only as a license to drive a motor vehicle.” It does not confer immigration status, work authorization, or eligibility for public benefits, and California law prohibits using the license as evidence of a person’s citizenship or immigration status for any purpose.¹

Who Qualifies

Any California resident who cannot provide proof of authorized presence in the United States is eligible. A Social Security number is not required. Beyond that, an applicant has to prove two things at the DMV: their identity and their California residency. All documents must be originals, not photocopies.²

Proof of Identity

The strongest identity document is a valid, unexpired foreign passport. A consular identification card, such as a Matrícula Consular from a Mexican consulate, also works. If neither is available, the DMV may accept a foreign birth certificate or other government-issued identity documents from the applicant’s country of origin. When documents don’t meet the standard requirements, the DMV opens a secondary review with an investigator interview, which lengthens the process. Bringing the strongest documents available to the first appointment avoids that delay.²

Proof of California Residency

Applicants need a document showing their name and a current California address. Acceptable documents include:

Utility bills such as electricity, gas, water, or cell phone
Rental or lease agreements, or mortgage bills
Pay stubs or employer correspondence
Medical or school records
Bank statements or credit union correspondence
Tax returns, insurance documents, or a U.S. Postal Service change-of-address confirmation

Applicants who lack formal documentation at a fixed address can submit a letter from a homeless shelter, nonprofit organization, or employer attesting to their California residency.²

Applying and Testing

The process begins on the DMV website. Complete the driver’s license application online and schedule an in-person appointment. At the appointment, submit the identity and residency documents, give a thumbprint, have a photo taken, and pay the $46 nonrefundable application fee, which covers both the knowledge test and the driving test.³

After a vision screening comes the written knowledge test on California traffic laws and road signs. The test is available in more than 40 languages, and applicants get three attempts to pass before needing to reapply and pay again.⁴ Passing earns an instruction permit for practicing with a licensed adult in the passenger seat.

The behind-the-wheel driving test is scheduled for a later date. Bring a vehicle currently registered and insured in California. A DMV examiner rides along and grades handling of real traffic, including turns, lane changes, and signaling. Once you pass, the DMV mails the physical license to your address.²

Insurance You’ll Need

Driving legally in California requires liability insurance on the vehicle. The state minimums are $30,000 for injury or death of one person, $60,000 for injury or death of more than one person per accident, and $15,000 for property damage, often written as 30/60/15.⁵

Coverage can be harder to find at reasonable rates for drivers without a U.S. credit history or prior insurance record. California’s Low Cost Automobile Insurance Program offers liability coverage at reduced rates for drivers who meet income guidelines and have a clean driving record. It is open to all California residents regardless of immigration status. Annual premiums run roughly $244 to $966 depending on the county, and applicants need a valid California driver’s license, including an AB 60 license, and a vehicle valued at $25,000 or less.⁶

What the Card Cannot Be Used For

The front of an AB 60 license reads “FEDERAL LIMITS APPLY,” and the back states “This card is not acceptable for official federal purposes.” The license does not meet the requirements of the federal REAL ID Act, and since May 7, 2025, REAL ID enforcement is fully in effect.

That means an AB 60 license cannot be used to board a domestic flight. TSA checkpoints no longer accept non-REAL ID state licenses, so travelers need an alternative like a valid passport, passport card, or permanent resident card.⁷ It also cannot be used to enter most restricted federal facilities, which now require REAL ID-compliant identification or an acceptable alternative.⁸ A valid foreign passport works as an alternative in both situations.

Privacy Protections and Their Limits

California law provides strong protections on paper. Vehicle Code Section 12801.9 makes the identity and residency documents submitted by an AB 60 applicant confidential. The DMV cannot disclose them except in response to a subpoena for individual records in a criminal proceeding or a court order. There is a narrow exception for law enforcement requests involving an urgent health or safety need, and the statute expressly states that immigration enforcement does not qualify as an urgent health or safety need.¹

The statute also bars anyone from using an AB 60 license as evidence of citizenship or immigration status. California state and local law enforcement cannot treat the fact that someone holds an AB 60 license as a basis for investigating, arresting, or detaining that person over immigration issues.¹

Federal law operates on its own track. The federal Driver Privacy Protection Act permits government agencies, including law enforcement, to access state motor vehicle records in the course of carrying out their functions.⁹ Federal immigration agencies have used a data-sharing network called Nlets to query state driver’s license data, and California’s restrictions on its own DMV do not necessarily block access through that channel. State limits often apply to the DMV itself rather than to the state law enforcement agencies that connect to federal networks. Millions of Californians hold AB 60 licenses, and the legislature intended to shield applicant information from immigration enforcement, but state-level privacy rules do not bind federal agencies.

Renewal

An AB 60 license is valid for five years. Renewal happens through the DMV before the expiration date and requires confirming that identity and residency requirements are still met. Letting the license lapse means driving without a valid license, which can lead to a citation and vehicle impoundment regardless of immigration status.²

1
California Legislative Information. California Vehicle Code VEH 12801.9
2
State of California Department of Motor Vehicles. AB 60 Driver’s Licenses
3
State of California Department of Motor Vehicles. Licensing Fees
4
State of California Department of Motor Vehicles. The Testing Process
5
State of California Department of Motor Vehicles. Auto Insurance Requirements
6
State of California. California Low Cost Auto
7
Transportation Security Administration. Acceptable Identification at the TSA Checkpoint
8
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) / Federal Protective Service (FPS). ID Requirements for Federal Facilities
9
Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 18 U.S. Code 2721 – Prohibition on Release and Use of Certain Personal Information From State Motor Vehicle Records