Assembly Bill (AB) 60 (Chapter 524: Statutes of 2013) requires the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to issue an original driver license to an applicant who is unable to submit satisfactory proof of legal presence in the United States. Driver license applicants under AB 60 must meet all other qualifications for licensure and must provide satisfactory proof of identity and California residency.
AB 60 also requires the DMV to develop regulations and consult with interested parties in an effort to assist the department in identifying documents that will be acceptable for the purposes of providing documentation to establish identity and residency.
Q: When is a person eligible to apply for a driver license under the new AB60 law?
A: Undocumented applicants can begin applying for a California driver license on Jan. 2, 2015. During the initial visit, applicants will be required to prove their identity and residency, and take a driver knowledge and vision exams. A behind-the-wheel test will be given at another time.
For more information, visit ab60.dmv.ca.gov .
Q: Do AB60 customers need to make appointments to apply for a driver license?
A: Anyone planning on visiting a DMV field office to apply for a first-time driver license is required to schedule an appointment. For appointments or other information regarding AB60 visit ab60.dmv.ca.gov .
Q: Does the driver license being issued under the AB60 law have any limitations?
A: Yes. A driver license under AB60 only allows an individual to legally drive a car and cannot be used to verify or provide legal or documented status. The face of the driver license clearly states that “Federal Limits Apply,” and on the back a disclaimer reads “This card is not acceptable for official federal purposes. It does not establish eligibility for employment, voter registration, or public benefits.” In other words, a person cannot use this driver license to board an airplane or enter a federal building.
It is important to point out that police officers in California cannot discriminate based on immigration status or the fact the driver holds an AB60 driver license.
Visit this direct link ab60.dmv.ca.gov for additional information.
Q: I plan to apply for a California driver license under the AB60 program. As an applicant without legal presence, will my information be used for anything other than a driver license application?
A: We are sensitive to the fact that many applicants without legal presence may be fearful of this review process and/or possessing this new driver license.
Discrimination against an individual based on possession of an AB60 driver license is a violation of law, including the Unruh Civil Rights Act (Section 51 of the Civil Code). An AB 60 driver license shall not be used to consider an individual’s citizenship or immigration status as a basis for an investigation, arrest, citation or detention.
To keep up on the latest information about the AB60 program, visit ab60.dmv.ca.gov .
Source: CA DMV
