The connecticut department of motor vehicles is expecting thousands of immigrants to begin taking the steps needed to obtain a new stateissued driver s license or learning permit. In the state of california, obtaining a driver s license did not require proof of legal presence since the early 1990s. So far, 17 other states and jurisdictions have passed laws providing undocumented immigrants access to driver s licenses states such as new york, delaware, california and connecticut. Loophole in law granting illegal immigrants drivers. Fifteen states and the district of columbia have enacted laws to allow unauthorized immigrants to obtain driver s licenses. The connecticut dmv has started a drive only program for undocumented. Last year, a bill was passed that will allow silva and other immigrants to obtain a legal driver s license from the state of connecticut, and next year, that law will take effect. Drivers licenses to be issued to immigrants in connecticut. Drivers licenses for undocumented immigrants supported by.
Undocumented immigrants to receive connecticut licenses. Hartford immigrants living in the state illegally will soon be able to obtain a driver s license under a new program designed to teach the rules of the road to people who likely have been. From jan 1, illegal immigrants who are 16 years or older can start to make online. As of january 2015, the connecticut legislature enacted a bill hb 6495 that allows residents who cannot prove their legal status also referred to as undocumented residents in the united states to still apply for a ct driver s license. Undocumented immigrants a step closer to getting n. The connecticut dmv has started a drive only program for undocumented individuals who are 16 and older and cannot establish their legal presence in the united states or may not have a social security number. Immigrants who are living in the state illegally will soon obtain a drivers license under a program that is designed to reach the rules of the road to the people. After connecticut expanded its license access, hitandruns in certain cities there went. Typically, an applicant needs to prove their citizenship or legal presence by providing a social security number. Oregon house passes bill that would allow undocumented.
Drivers licenses for undocumented immigrants may improve. Licenses for undocumented immigrants show benefits in. Immigrant florida department of highway safety and motor. More than 50,000 undocumented immigrants in the state have taken written exams, vision tests and road tests to obtain driver s licenses, funneling several million dollars into the connecticut. Please note that the name assigned to the social security number ssn must match the name that will appear on the florida driver license or id card. However, california blocked off this access in 1991, by asking all driver license applicants to provide proof of citizenship. Explains how restrictive driver s license documentation requirements do not simply affect undocumented immigrants but also prevent many eligible u. The latter including people who have been approved for daca receive a real id actcompliant driver s license.
At this time, many undocumented immigrants have a driver s license and are driving freely without fear of being stopped by police driving illegally or receiving a ticket for not having a license. States issue drivers licenses under the constitutional authority of the. You cannot apply for a connecticut drivers license prior to the start date noted on your visa document e. Bill would allow those without legal immigration status to. Connecticut will issue special drivers licenses for. A valid license from canada, germany or france can also be transferred to connecticut using the same procedures for an outofstate license. Licenses for undocumented immigrants seem to be showing. There are many undocumented immigrants driving without a drivers license who arent insured or registered, and we believe making that. Two years later, california explicitly committed to require proof of license to state issued driver s licenses by passing senate bill 976. The department of motor vehicles expects thousands of immigrants will begin taking the steps that are needed to obtain a driver s license.
Obtaining a connecticut drivers license office of international. Immigrants living in the state illegally will soon be able to obtain a driver s license under a new program designed to teach the rules of the road to people who likely have been behind the wheel. States and dc that allow drivers licenses for people in. These statescalifornia, colorado, connecticut, delaware, hawaii. If you would like to apply for a drive only license for undocumented individuals. How to get a drivers license for illegal immigrants. Drivers licenses for illegal immigrants in the united. Can an undocumented person in new mexico get a drivers. In early december, almost 5,400 undocumented residents in the state made appointments to take written tests at local dmvs. These statescalifornia, colorado, connecticut, delaware, hawaii, illinois, maryland, nevada, new jersey, new mexico, new york, oregon, utah, vermont and washingtonissue a license if an applicant provides certain. The national immigration law center reports that officials in at least 45 states including connecticut as well as all states with laws granting driving privileges to undocumented immigrants generally have demonstrated, either through statements or the granting of licenses, that daca recipients will be eligible for a driver s license or. The impact of driver s license and identification card restrictions on u.
Immigrants who are living in the state illegally will soon obtain a driver s license under a program that is designed to reach the rules of the road to the people. Connecticut to allow illegal immigrants to get driving license. Undocument immigrants can now sign up for ct drivers licenses. Connecticut to grant drivers licenses to certain illegal. The program is in place to provide drivers licenses for undocumented immigrants to legally operate vehicles. Immigrants renewing, replacing or applying for a new driver license or id card in person must submit the following documents before a real idcompliant driver license or id card can be issued. Connecticut is another state that recently passed a law allowing undocumented residents to take driver s license tests. Drivers license for illegal immigrants in connecticut.
Connecticut has seen a reduction in hitandrun crashes over the past three years, which some safety experts attribute to the states fouryearold policy of allowing undocumented immigrants to obtain driver. According to several opinions, the easiest states to get an undocumented driver s license are. The process involves applying for a learners permit that can then lead to a driveonly license. Licenses for undocumented immigrants connecticut has seen a reduction in hitandrun crashes over the past three years, which some safety experts attribute to the states fouryearold policy of allowing undocumented immigrants to obtain driver s licenses. How to get a driver license for undocumented immigrants. New york, learn from connecticut on drivers licenses for. Fourteen states, including connecticut and vermont, have laws in place allowing all residents to acquire some type of license or permit regardless of immigration status, according to supporters. Undocumented immigrants eager for new drivers license.
In california, after more than one million undocumented immigrants were granted driver s licenses. The green light bill, which passed the senate 3329 monday and was signed by gov. Connecticut said on wednesday that it will provide special driver s licenses for illegal immigrants starting next week to help stop them from driving the states roads unregistered and uninsured. Why issuing drivers licenses to undocumented immigrants. This article explains new mexicos law on getting a dac if you are an undocumented person. A number of states, including connecticut, are granting licenses to successful daca. Allowing undocumented immigrants in connecticut to obtain drivers licenses may have reduced hitandrun crashes in the state. Each weekday morning, 19yearold eri torres of morristown, new jersey, catches the 6. Note that undocumented persons in new mexico do not receive the same card as people who are lawfully present in the united states. Drivers licenses for undocumented immigrants may improve road.
Beacon hill hearing on driver s licenses for undocumented. Connecticut to offer drivers licenses for illegal immigrants. According to a list updated in december from the national immigration law center, 15 states, washington d. Driver s license for illegal immigrants in connecticut. Connecticut lawmakers approve drivers licenses for. Undocument immigrants can now sign up for ct drivers. Andrew cuomo, allows illegal immigrants to obtain standard state driver s licenses that can be used for. Connecticut to offer drivers licenses for illegal immigrants reuters. Fraud problem with connecticut drive only licenses. Immigrants can obtain ct drivers licenses starting monday. Connecticut said wednesday that it will provide special driver s licenses for illegal immigrants starting next week to help stop them from driving the states roads unregistered and uninsured. The connecticut state senate has approved a bill that would allow illegal immigrants to obtain driver s licenses, surmounting republican opposition. Residents of the marshall islands must provide proper immigration documents to be eligible for a connecticut dmvissued credential. Extensions provided for renewals of drivers licenses, nondriver id cards, vehicle.