This can be done via a license from another country, a passport or some other official item such as a national consular card, a national identification card or a federal electoral card. Ive got the interim license in paper for two months which looks like below and later i received the actual ab 60 driving license card. Ab 60 drivers licenses for undocumented immigrants. The ab 60 law did not take effect until the beginning of 2015. Recently, the aclu of southern california participated in an event in kern county on ab 60, californias new safe and responsible driver act. Dmv outlines steps for getting driver license under ab 60. Real id actcompliant licenses and noncompliant licenses. Statutes of 20 requires the department to issue an original driver license to an applicant who is unable to submit satisfactory proof of legal presence in the united states. Previous to this bill, drivers licenses were only issued to california residents who could. California assembly bill 60 ab60 is a bill passed into law that, in effect, allows undocumented immigrants to the united states to apply for a california drivers license with the ca department of motor vehicles dmv. 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.
In the first twelve months, a little over 600,000 people in california met all the eligibility requirements to obtain a drivers license. Assembly bill 60, also known as ab 60, the new drivers license bill for california residents who do not have proof of legal u. Drivers licenses for illegal immigrants in the united. Because the ab 60 drivers license is inconsistent with the federal real id act, which sets standards for drivers licenses that would be accepted for federal purposes such as. A class 7 licence allows you to drive a class 5 vehicle, such as a car, under supervision and operate a moped. There appears to be an ongoing debate right now about whether california ab 60 will allow a drivers license or just a driving privilege. You will learn about traffic signs, speed limits, and the rules of the road. With our free online course, youll learn everything you need to pass the dmv written exam. The registry agent will check to see if you can apply. Dmv lists new documents required for driver license under. 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.
Documents required to get ab 60 license infinity insurance. Renewing your driver license california department of. Before getting any class of licence in alberta, you will need to take a road test. An ab 60 license is not a federal id and cannot be used for certain federal purposes, such as entering restricted parts of federal buildings. Previous to this bill, drivers licenses were only issued to california residents who could prove their legal presence in. The act, which went into effect january 1, 2015, permits any eligible californian to obtain a driver license, regardless of immigration status. Under ab 60, any california resident is able to apply for a drivers license, regardless of. This is the third step of infinitys ab 60 license checklist. It is introduced in jan 2015 for ca so i am planning to use that and apply license renewal with ab 60.
Beginning january 1, 2015, immigrants without legal immigration status will be able to apply for a california driver license under ab 60. Faq ab 60 drivers license san diego immigration lawyers. Sapochnick is dedicated to serving our clients with a range of legal services including immigration and visa cases. Schedule a consultation call 866 4881554 law offices of jacob j. Ab 60 prohibits law enforcement agencies from using the drivers license for criminal investigation, arrest, or detention based on immigration status. Every ab 60 permit and license will have a visible distinguishing feature on the front that reads federal limits apply. An ab 60 license is valid for driving and for state id purposes. You will not be able to obtain your ab 60 license without bringing this. Dmv confirms ice has limited access to ab 60 license information immigration advocates and attorneys say a law that was designed to help undocumented. You may legally drive in california and use your ab 60 drivers license as legal identification in certain situations applying for an ab 60 drivers license. Ca law officers may not arrest or discriminate against a driver who shows them this form of identification. On the back, it will note not acceptable for official federal purposes. The dmv is working to draft new regulations and prepare field offices to process the new applications. Does ab 60 impacts my gc process as it is for the people who have no legal approvals to stay in usa.
To qualify for an ab60 license, a person must be able to prove his or her identity. More than a million undocumented immigrants have received. Ab 60 checklist california department of motor vehicles. Why did the dmv send me a ab 60 drivers license when im. Jerry brown in october 20, allows undocumented immigrants to obtain a california drivers license starting on jan. Ab 60 driver license california department of motor vehicles. Taking advantage of this exciting new opportunity means understanding the proper procedures and documentation needed to obtain this type of license. The tension between ab60 driver licenses and form 19. In january 2015, after a twentyyear community campaign, access to drivers licenses became a reality for undocumented people in california. Applicants need to have proof of their identity, in the form of a foreign passport, stateissued id card, or foreign birth certificate.
I came to know about ab 60 which is for the people who have no documents to stay in usa. Of course, this leaves open the question regarding discrimination outside california. While having an ab 60 license can protect you from being arrested for not having a license and possibly referred to ice, dhs and other law enforcement agencies regularly use drivers license databases to locate persons of interest. That marking strongly indicates an ab 60 drivers license.
Starting january 2, 2015, the new california state law ab 60 grants undocumented immigrants the chance to lawfully obtain a drivers license. All ab 60 permits and licenses are recognized as valid by the state of california. Our course makes the information on the exam easy to understand and remember. Review the california drivers handbook pdf if you are required to take a knowledge test. This means that an applicant who is undocumented can receive a drivers license under ab 60. To monitor potential discrimination, ab 60 requires the california research bureau to compile and submit a report to the.
To exchange a licence from a jurisdiction that doesnt have an agreement, youll need to pass a knowledge and road test. For more information, view an example of ab 60 california driver license. You can make an appointment s online or you can call dmv tollfree at 180077703. In october 20, governor jerry brown signed ab 60, a law led by assemblymember luis alejo, which will allow california residents, regardless of immigration status, to get driver licenses starting january 1, 2015.
It does not give anyone the right to work, vote, or receive any benefits that the person wasnt already eligible for. Infinity auto insurance created this checklist to provide you with valuable information. Dmv confirms ice has limited access to ab 60 license. Ab 60 passed the california state legislature in 20 and will go into effect january 1, 2015.
Drivers licenses ab 60 california immigrant policy center. Ab 60 driver licenses siren services, immigrant rights. Ab 60 drivers license and i9 requirements as a result of ab 60 legislation, the department of motor vehicles began issuing drivers licenses in january of this year to persons who are unable to submit satisfactory proof of legal presence in the united states. The individual must also be able to prove california residency. Ab 60 california drivers licenses for undocumented. Interim paper license of ab 60 in california sample. Your rights with an ab 60 drivers license aclu of san. Undocumented immigrants can lawfully drive in california with an ab 60 license. Assembly bill 60, authored by thenassemblyman luis alejo in 20, required california dmv offices to issue drivers licenses to undocumented immigrants as long as. 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. The ab 60 route of applying for a drivers license is available only to applicants who cant prove legal presence in the united states.
Adilene sanchez, who now has a california drivers license under ab 60, drives with daughter, kamila fierro, 17 months, in san jose, calif. Ab 60 checklist 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. A class 5 drivers licence allows you to drive most cars, trucks or vans by yourself. The safe and responsible driver act, better known as assembly bill 60 california ab 60, was signed into law in 20. Ab 60 specifies that i t shall be a violation of law, including, but not limited to, a violation of the unruh civil rights act, to discriminate against an individual who holds or presents an ab 60 drivers license.
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. Applying for a ab 60 driver licence hello, 17 years ago i got a dui in california at that time a had a valid driver licence. 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. 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. Is there a risk when applying for an ab 60 driver license. How to get a california ab 60 driver license citizenpath. Does california ab 60 driver license impact my gc process. Below is the actual ab 60 driving license card that i received in mail in about a week. Our california criminal and immigration lawyers explain all undocumented aliens need to know about ca drivers licenses. The excitement in the room over the ab 60 license and its importance to the community was. Customers applying for an original driver license will need to do the following. This includes all immigrants, with any immigration status.
Because of ab 60 the safe and responsible driver act. Ab 60 drivers license and i9 requirements inside this issue. One of the requirements for obtaining your ab 60 license is that you must prove your identity and california residency with documentation. Complete a driver license or identification card application. The bill came into effect on january 2 of this year and allows all eligible californians to apply for a drivers license, regardless of immigration status. Immigrants and allies worked tirelessly to pass assembly bill 60, the safe and responsible drivers act. Faq ab 60 drivers license san diego immigration lawyer. California drivers license information for undocumented residents. Visit a registry agent and hand in your valid drivers licence that is equivalent or higher to an alberta class 5 licence. Should an undocumented immigrant get an ab60 drivers.
In 20, governor jerry brown signed the bill to increase immigrant integration and road safety throughout the state. By the end of 2017, a little over 900,000 people without proof of legal presence in. What you need to know about california realid drivers. This number continued to increase in the following months. Ab 60 is a new state law that allows immigrants living in california to get a drivers license.