Massachusetts driver license and state ID — guide for immigrants

Massachusetts issues a standard driver license regardless of immigration status under the Work and Family Mobility Act (WFMA), in effect since July 1, 2023. You do not need a Social Security number for the license. One important limit: the WFMA covers driver licenses only — a non-driver Mass ID card still requires lawful presence. Here is exactly who qualifies, the documents, and what it costs.

Quick answer

  • Undocumented driver-license access: YES — under the Work and Family Mobility Act (since July 2023)
  • Social Security number required: No (sign an Affidavit of No SSN if you were never issued one)
  • Driver license fee: $50 (Class D, 5 years) + $30 permit exam + $35 road test
  • Card marking: Standard (non-REAL ID) — no star, not accepted for federal purposes
  • Non-driver Mass ID: NOT available without lawful presence (WFMA covers licenses only)
  • Agency: Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV)
  • Website: mass.gov RMV · WFMA line: 857-368-9362

Who can apply

The WFMA “removes the requirement that residents provide immigration status proof,” so any eligible Massachusetts resident can apply for a Standard Class D (passenger) or Class M (motorcycle) license regardless of immigration status.

Documents you need (the “Option B” path)

For identity and date of birth you provide two documents:

  • Document 1 — one of: a foreign passport (no visa required) or a consular identification card (matrícula consular).
  • Document 2 — one of: a U.S.-state driver license, a foreign birth certificate, a foreign national identification card, a foreign driver license, a U.S. marriage certificate, or a U.S. divorce decree.

For Social Security status, if you were never issued an SSN you sign an “Affidavit of No SSN” — no ITIN or tax return is required. (Applicants who do have an SSN must provide it.) You also bring one proof of Massachusetts residency showing your name and current residential address (no P.O. boxes). All documents must be unexpired originals; non-English documents need a certified translation.

What the license can and cannot do

The license is a Standard (non-REAL ID) credential — it has no star and is not accepted for federal purposes. You can use it to drive and as state identification, but not to board a domestic flight or enter a federal facility. Carry your passport for those.

Important: the non-driver Mass ID is different

The Work and Family Mobility Act applies to driver licenses only. A Standard Mass ID card still requires proof of lawful presence plus a Social Security number that validates with the SSA (or an SSN Denial Notice with a passport, visa, and I-94). So in Massachusetts the undocumented pathway is the driver license, not the ID card.

How to apply

  1. Make an RMV Service Center appointment (book at Mass.Gov/myRMV). Walk-ins are not available, and WFMA applicants need two appointments — one for the learner’s permit exam and one for the road test.
  2. Bring your two identity documents, the Affidavit of No SSN (if applicable), and your residency document.
  3. Pass the vision screening and the learner’s permit exam ($30) — offered in 37 languages including Spanish, Portuguese, and Haitian Creole.
  4. Pass the road test ($35).
  5. Pay the $50 Class D license fee. Your license is valid 5 years.

If you are lawfully present

If you can prove lawful presence, you can get a REAL ID license or a Mass ID card: bring one document proving legal U.S. presence, one proving your full 9-digit Social Security number, and two proving Massachusetts residency. Temporary-status applicants receive a card issued for the length of their lawful presence (prorated fee).

Last verified: 2026-06-28. Sources: Mass.gov RMV — Work and Family Mobility Act announcement, Standard Driver’s License acceptable-ID checklist, and REAL ID in Massachusetts.

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