Nineteen states and Washington, D.C. currently issue driver's licenses to people regardless of immigration status
As of 2024, nineteen states plus Washington, D.C. have laws allowing people without legal immigration status to obtain a standard driver's license or permit. These states are: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, Washington, and West Virginia. The rules, documents required, and what the license can be used for vary significantly by state.
The remaining thirty-one states do not issue licenses to people without legal status. Some of these states offer an alternative document — a driving permit or certificate that allows you to drive but cannot be used for federal purposes like boarding a plane or entering a federal building. Others offer no driving document at all.
Your ability to get a license depends entirely on which state you live in and what documents you can provide. There is no federal rule; each state sets its own policy.
Key Takeaways
- Nineteen states and Washington, D.C. issue standard driver's licenses to people without legal immigration status, but the other thirty-one states do not.
- Some states that do not issue licenses to undocumented immigrants offer a driving permit or certificate instead, which allows you to drive but has limits on what it can be used for.
- The documents you need to bring vary by state — some accept an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) instead of a Social Security number, while others require different proof of identity or residency.
- A standard license from a state that issues them can be used for federal purposes like boarding a domestic flight, but a permit or certificate cannot.
How the nineteen states handle driver's licenses
The nineteen states that issue licenses to people without legal status have different names for the document and different requirements. California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Utah, Vermont, Washington, and West Virginia issue what is called a standard or regular driver's license. This license looks like any other and can be used for federal purposes — boarding a domestic flight, entering a federal building, or opening a bank account.
Missouri and Rhode Island issue licenses with a different label or marking that indicates the holder did not provide proof of legal status. These licenses still allow you to drive and can be used for some federal purposes, but the marking may affect how they are accepted in certain situations.
Washington, D.C. issues a standard license to people without legal status. The document itself does not indicate immigration status.
What documents you will need in states that issue licenses
States that issue licenses to people without legal status still require proof of identity and proof of residency. The difference is that they accept documents other than a Social Security number or state ID.
Most of these states accept an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) in place of a Social Security number. An ITIN is a nine-digit number issued by the Internal Revenue Service to people who file taxes but do not have a Social Security number. You can obtain an ITIN by filing a tax return with the IRS, even if you have no income to report.
For proof of identity, these states typically accept a passport from your country of origin, a consular ID (an ID issued by your country's embassy or consulate in the United States), or other government-issued documents. For proof of residency, they accept utility bills, lease agreements, bank statements, or mail from government agencies — the same documents used in other states.
The specific list of acceptable documents differs by state. Before you go to the DMV, check your state's DMV website or call the local office to confirm what you can bring.
States that offer driving permits instead of licenses
Thirteen states do not issue driver's licenses to people without legal status but do offer an alternative: a driving permit, driving certificate, or conditional license. These documents allow you to drive legally within that state but cannot be used for federal purposes.
These states are: Arizona, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, and Wyoming. The names and rules vary — some call it a "driving privilege card," others a "certificate of driving ability." Some require an ITIN; others require different proof of identity or residency.
A permit from one of these states will not work for boarding a plane, entering a federal building, or opening a bank account. It is valid only for driving within that state and for interactions with local police or state highway patrol.
States with no license or permit option
Eighteen states do not issue any driving document to people without legal status. These are: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, and Virginia.
In these states, driving without a license is illegal regardless of immigration status. If you are stopped by police, you can be cited or arrested for driving without a license. This creates a difficult situation: you cannot legally drive, but you may need to drive to work, school, or medical appointments.
Some people in these states choose to drive anyway and accept the legal risk. Others use public transportation, ride-sharing services, or ask friends or family for rides. A few states in this group have introduced bills to change their policy, but as of 2024, none have passed.
How immigration status is verified or not verified
States that issue licenses to people without legal status do not verify immigration status as part of the license process. They do not check with federal immigration authorities, and they do not report applicants to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
When you explore for a license in one of these states, the DMV checks your identity and residency. It does not ask whether you are in the country legally, and it does not share your information with federal immigration agencies. The license itself does not indicate your immigration status — it looks the same as a license issued to a citizen or legal resident.
This separation between state licensing and federal immigration enforcement is intentional. These states have chosen to issue licenses based on the principle that driving safety and identification are local concerns, not federal immigration matters.
What happens if you move to a different state
If you have a driver's license from a state that issues them to people without legal status and you move to a state that does not, you will not be able to renew or transfer that license. You will need to follow the rules of your new state.
If you move from a state with no license option to a state that issues licenses, you can explore for a license in your new state. You will need to provide the documents that state requires — typically proof of identity, proof of residency, and an ITIN or other tax identification number.
Your old license from the previous state remains valid for driving in that state, but it cannot be used in your new state once you establish residency there. Most states require you to obtain a new license within a set time period after moving — usually 30 to 60 days.
How a driver's license affects other parts of your life
A standard driver's license from a state that issues them can be used for purposes beyond driving. You can use it to open a bank account, board a domestic flight, enter a federal building, or prove your identity in many everyday situations. This makes it valuable for people without legal status who need to establish their identity for practical reasons.
A driving permit or certificate from a state that does not issue full licenses has more limited use. It proves you can drive, but it is not accepted for federal purposes. Banks, airlines, and federal agencies will not accept it as proof of identity.
Having any driving document — license or permit — also protects you in traffic stops. If you are stopped by police and can show a valid driving document, you are less likely to face additional charges or complications. Without one, a traffic stop can escalate quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a license from a state that issues them if I move to a state that does not?
Your old license remains valid for driving in the state that issued it, but you cannot use it in your new state once you establish residency. You will need to follow your new state's rules, which may mean you cannot get a license or can only get a permit.
Do states that issue licenses report people to immigration authorities?
No. States that issue licenses to people without legal status do not verify immigration status and do not share applicant information with federal immigration agencies. The DMV and ICE operate separately.
What is an ITIN and how do I get one?
An ITIN is a nine-digit tax identification number issued by the IRS. You can obtain one by filing a tax return with the IRS, even if you have no income. You do not need legal status to get an ITIN. The process takes several weeks to several months.
Can I use a driving permit from one state in another state?
No. A driving permit is valid only in the state that issued it. If you travel to another state, you cannot use it to drive there. You would need a valid license or permit from that state.
What should I do if I live in a state with no license option?
You have several choices: use public transportation, ride-sharing services, or ask friends or family for rides. Some people choose to drive anyway and accept the legal risk of a traffic stop. Others advocate for their state to change its policy by contacting elected representatives.