California driver license and state ID — guide for immigrants

California issues a driver license to residents who cannot prove legal presence, through the AB 60 program (in effect since January 2015) — the country’s largest immigrant-accessible driver-license program. No Social Security number and no proof of lawful status are required; you prove your identity and your California residency instead. Here is exactly who qualifies, what to bring, what it costs, and what the card can and cannot do.

Quick answer

  • Undocumented driver-license access: YES — through AB 60 (since 2015)
  • Social Security number required: No
  • Driver license fee: $46 (original Class C)
  • Card validity: renew every 5 years
  • Card marking: “FEDERAL LIMITS APPLY” — not a REAL ID
  • Non-driver ID card: the standard ID-card application asks for an SSN (AB 60 covers the driver license, not the ID card)
  • Agency: California DMV
  • Website: dmv.ca.gov · Phone / interpreter: 1-800-777-0133

Who can apply for an AB 60 driver license

The California DMV states that AB 60 driver’s licenses are “for individuals who are unable to provide proof of legal presence in the United States, but who meet California DMV requirements and are able to provide proof of identity and California residency.” There is no immigration-status test — undocumented residents are eligible. Applicants age 15 to 17½ must first complete a driver-education course.

Documents you need

You must prove your identity and your California residency. Use the DMV’s AB 60 Checklist to confirm your exact documents before your visit — arriving with the wrong documents triggers a “Secondary Review” to verify your identity and residency. Commonly accepted proof of identity includes a valid foreign passport or a consular ID card (matrícula consular); California residency can be shown with documents such as a rental or lease agreement, a home utility bill, a bank record, an employment or insurance document, or a California tax return.

What the AB 60 license can and cannot do

AB 60 licenses are not REAL ID compliant — the card reads “FEDERAL LIMITS APPLY.” That means:

  • You can legally drive and use the license as identification for many state and everyday purposes.
  • You cannot use it to board a domestic flight or enter secure federal facilities (enforced since May 7, 2025). Carry your passport for those.

How to apply

  1. Check your eligibility with the AB 60 Checklist.
  2. Start the application — create a MyDMV account to begin online.
  3. Pass the knowledge test — available in more than 40 languages.
  4. Gather your identity and California residency documents.
  5. Make a DMV appointment (call 1-800-777-0133 if you need an interpreter).
  6. Pass the behind-the-wheel drive test (first-time drivers).
  7. Receive your license by mail. Renew every five years.

If you are lawfully present (REAL ID option)

If you can prove current legal presence — a green card, a valid student or employment visa, DACA (eligible to apply since June 15, 2012), or TPS — you can instead apply for a REAL ID driver license or ID card. For temporary status, the card is issued as “Limited Term” and expires on the same date as your legal-presence document; you renew it in person with updated documents.

Last verified: 2026-06-28. Sources: California DMV — AB 60 Driver’s Licenses, REAL ID Info: Non-U.S. Citizens, and Licensing Fees.

General procedural information. DMV policies, fees, and document requirements change frequently — verify with the California DMV before visiting. Not legal or immigration advice. For case-specific guidance, consult a licensed immigration attorney.