State ID for immigrants — by state

Non-driving state ID cards by state. Useful for I-9 employment verification, opening a bank account, or any situation requiring photo ID without a driver’s license. Only a minority of states issue one without proof of lawful presence: NCSL counts nineteen states and the District of Columbia whose laws let residents without lawful status obtain a credential, and not all of those extend it to the non-driving ID card. In the other 31 states you must prove lawful status even for an ID card — check your state below.

Browse by state

Last verified: 2026-09-24.

General information — not legal advice. Verify current rules with the issuing agency.

License and ID options across states

License or ID typeTypically availableStatus requiredFee rangeNotes
Standard driver’s license (Class C/D/E)✅ YESLawful immigration status required (unless undocumented license below applies)Varies by state — check your state’s official fee scheduleDefault for most adults. Renews every 4-8 years. Most common identification document for adults.
REAL ID compliant license✅ YESLawful status required + proof of identity, SSN, two proofs of residenceVaries by state — check your state’s official fee scheduleSince May 7, 2025, TSA asks for a REAL ID or another acceptable ID (such as a passport) on domestic flights; without one you can pay $45 for TSA ConfirmID identity verification, which TSA says it cannot guarantee. Star symbol on top right.
Driver’s license for undocumented residents19 states + DCVaries by stateVaries by stateSee your state’s page in the driver’s-license matrix.
State ID (non-driving)✅ YESLawful presence required in most states — only 19 states + DC issue a credential without it (NCSL), and not all of those extend it to the non-driving ID cardVaries by state — check your state’s official fee scheduleFor people who don’t drive. Same identity-verification requirements as license.
Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL)Five statesUS citizens onlyN/AOnly available in MI, MN, NY, VT, WA — use a US passport card or passport instead.
Commercial Driver’s License (CDL)✅ YES (Class A, B, C)SSN REQUIRED by federal law (49 CFR 383.153) + lawful statusVaries by state — check your state’s official fee scheduleFor driving commercial vehicles (semi-trucks, buses, hazmat). Subject to federal medical certification, drug/alcohol testing. ITIN does NOT qualify for CDL — must have SSN. Non-domiciled CDLs are federally restricted: FMCSA’s final rule (published February 13, 2026, effective March 16, 2026, reaffirming its September 29, 2025 interim final rule) limits eligibility for non-domiciled Commercial Learner’s Permits and CDLs, for foreign-domiciled individuals, to those who hold specific, verifiable employment-based nonimmigrant status. A separate FMCSA exemption granted May 14, 2026 lets any state issue one to a citizen of the Marshall Islands, Micronesia or Palau who resides in the United States and holds a valid, unexpired Freely Associated State passport and a Form I-94 or I-94A.
Motorcycle license (Class M)✅ YESSame as regular licenseVaries by state — check your state’s official fee scheduleUsually an endorsement on regular license. Testing rules vary by state; some states (e.g., Idaho, California) let an approved rider-safety course waive the skills test.
Learner’s permit✅ YESMinimum age is set by each state (see your state’s page); a parent or sponsor normally signs for applicants under 18Varies by state — check your state’s official fee scheduleFirst step toward full license. Requires supervised driving with licensed adult.
Provisional/junior license✅ YESMinimum age is set by each state (see your state’s page)Varies by state — check your state’s official fee scheduleLimited hours, passenger restrictions. Each state sets its own minimum age for a full, unrestricted license.
Disabled parking placard✅ YESMedical certificationVaries by state — check your state’s official fee scheduleIssued separately from license.

Where REAL ID stands

REAL ID enforcement for boarding domestic US commercial flights began on May 7, 2025 (6 CFR 37.5(b) — the REAL ID rule is 6 CFR part 37; 49 CFR part 1560 is the Secure Flight watch-list program and contains no REAL ID provision). Without a REAL ID-compliant license or another acceptable ID (US passport, passport card, military ID), you are not automatically turned away: since February 1, 2026 TSA offers ConfirmID, a checkpoint identity check that costs $45 and takes, in TSA’s words, “an average of 10-15 minutes; however, it could take 30 minutes or more” — but if TSA cannot verify your identity, you are not allowed through. Federal agencies may run phased enforcement plans, which must achieve full enforcement no later than May 5, 2027 (6 CFR 37.5(d)(4)). A REAL ID does not replace a passport for international flights: to enter the U.S. by air, U.S. citizens need a U.S. passport or another document CBP accepts, such as a NEXUS, SENTRI or FAST card.

To qualify for a REAL ID: prove identity (passport or certified birth certificate), Social Security Number, and two proofs of residency in your state. Lawful immigration status is required. Undocumented residents cannot obtain REAL ID — but the standard license, undocumented license (in states that allow it), and Enhanced Driver’s License (in EDL states, US citizens only) remain valid for driving.

Common reasons each license type matters for immigrants

  • Standard license → drive legally; a state-issued driver’s license or ID card counts as an I-9 List B identity document if it contains a photograph or identifying information such as name, date of birth, sex, height, eye color and address (List B proves identity only — a separate List C work-authorization document, such as an unrestricted Social Security card, is also required)
  • A license or card issued regardless of immigration status → drive legally, but it is not automatically an identity document: some states print theirs “Not Valid for Identification” — Delaware says its Driving Privilege Card “will NOT be considered a valid form of identification” and carries that legend on its face — so read what is printed on your own card before relying on it for I-9 or any other identification purpose
  • REAL ID → board domestic US flights (post May 7, 2025)
  • State ID (non-driving) → identity for opening bank accounts, signing leases, voting in some jurisdictions, registering children for school
  • Enhanced DL (where available) → enter the United States from Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean through a land or sea port of entry without a passport (DHS)
  • CDL → drive commercial trucks/buses (must have SSN; not available to ITIN-only)
  • Motorcycle license → endorsement on regular license; testing rules vary by state