Can an Undocumented Immigrant Get a Driver's License in California?

Yes — California is one of a growing number of states that allows undocumented immigrants to apply for a standard driver's license. The law that made this possible has been in effect since 2015, and the process runs through the same state agency — the California Department of Motor Vehicles — that handles all driver's license applications.

Here's how it generally works, what documents are involved, and where the key distinctions lie.

The Law Behind It: AB 60

California's Assembly Bill 60 (AB 60), signed in 2013 and implemented in January 2015, allows individuals who cannot prove lawful presence in the United States to apply for a California driver's license. These licenses are sometimes called AB 60 licenses or DP licenses (the card carries a "DP" designation rather than the standard "DL").

The purpose of the law is practical: to allow people who are already driving to do so legally, with proof of competency and insurance requirements attached.

What an AB 60 License Is — and Isn't

The most important distinction is this: an AB 60 license is not a Real ID-compliant document.

The AB 60 license carries a printed notice that it is not acceptable for federal identification purposes. It cannot be used to board domestic flights (under Real ID enforcement), enter federal buildings, or for other federally controlled purposes. For driving purposes within California, it functions like any other state driver's license.

What Documents Are Required 📋

Applicants under AB 60 must prove two things: identity and California residency. Lawful immigration status is not required, but the DMV does require documentation that establishes who you are.

Identity documents accepted under AB 60 may include:

• A valid foreign passport (expired passports may be accepted in some cases)
• A foreign birth certificate with photo ID
• A consular identification card (such as a Mexican Matrícula Consular)
• Other government-issued identity documents from foreign countries

Residency documents — to show you live in California — typically include utility bills, bank statements, lease agreements, school records, or similar materials showing a California address. Two residency documents are generally required.

The DMV has a specific list of accepted documents, and what qualifies can depend on the combination of documents an applicant brings. The agency evaluates these on a case-by-case basis.

Testing Requirements Are the Same

An AB 60 applicant goes through the same testing process as any first-time California license applicant:

• Written knowledge test — covering California traffic laws, signs, and safe driving practices
• Vision screening — conducted at the DMV
• Behind-the-wheel road test — after completing required practice hours (if under 18, additional GDL requirements apply)

There is no separate or simplified test track for AB 60 applicants. The standard applies.

The Under-18 Variable

For minors, the Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) program applies regardless of immigration status. That means:

1. A learner's permit phase (held for a minimum period, typically with adult supervision requirements)
2. A provisional license phase (with restrictions on passengers and nighttime driving)
3. A full license after satisfying age and time requirements

The same document requirements apply — identity and residency — but the process follows the standard GDL timeline.

Fees Follow the Standard Schedule

AB 60 applicants pay the same application and testing fees as other first-time license applicants in California. Fees vary by license class and are updated periodically — the DMV's current fee schedule is the authoritative source for exact amounts.

What DACA Changes — and Doesn't

DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) recipients in California are in a different category. Because DACA provides a form of temporary lawful presence, DACA recipients can apply for a standard California driver's license (DL) — not just an AB 60 license — and may be eligible for a Real ID if they meet the federal documentation requirements.

This distinction matters for people who want a license usable for federal purposes. DACA status, however, is subject to policy changes at the federal level, which can affect eligibility at any point.

Why California's Approach Differs from Other States

Not every state has a similar law. As of now, roughly a dozen or more states — plus Washington D.C. — have enacted some form of policy allowing licenses regardless of immigration status, though the specifics vary considerably. Some use different document standards, different license designations, or different restrictions on what those licenses can be used for.

🗺️ A license issued under California's AB 60 program is valid in California. Whether another state recognizes it for any purpose depends entirely on that state's laws — something California's DMV has no control over.

The Document Evaluation Is Where Individual Cases Diverge

The part of this process that varies most by individual is document verification. The DMV reviews submitted identity documents through a process that may include contacting foreign consulates or databases. If documents cannot be verified, the application cannot proceed — regardless of the applicant's actual identity or residency.

What documents you have, whether they are verifiable, and how they combine determines whether an application moves forward. That's where the process becomes specific to each person's situation — and where the DMV's own guidance matters more than any general overview.