Quick Answer
Yes — California issues AB 60 driver's licenses to residents who can't prove lawful presence. You don't need an SSN or ITIN. To get one:
- Start the DL 44 application online through a MyDMV account and pay the $46 fee.
- Bring 1 approved identity document — for example a 2014 or 2022 Mexican matrícula consular, an INE voter card, or a DMV-approved passport — plus 1 proof of your California address.
- Pass the vision test, the knowledge test (offered in more than 40 languages), and the behind-the-wheel drive test.
The card reads "Federal Limits Apply", so TSA won't accept it for flights.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Law | AB 60, in effect since January 2, 2015 |
| SSN or ITIN | Neither is required |
| Fee | $46 (Class C, original or renewal) |
| ID to bring | 1 approved document, such as a 2014 or 2022 Mexican matrícula consular, an INE card or a DMV-approved passport, plus 1 proof of California address |
| Tests | Vision, knowledge (40+ languages) and behind-the-wheel |
| Valid until | Your fifth birthday after you apply |
| Flights | No — the card reads "Federal Limits Apply," so TSA won't accept it |
Can You Get a Driver's License in California Without an SSN?
Yes. Under AB 60, signed in 2013 and in effect since January 2, 2015, the California DMV issues a driver's license to any resident who can't prove lawful presence in the United States. Instead of giving a Social Security number, you sign a sworn statement that you aren't eligible for one, then meet every other licensing rule.
The law is California Vehicle Code section 12801.9, and the DMV sets out each requirement on its AB 60 driver license page. The sworn statement replaces the SSN only for regular (Class C) licenses; it doesn't apply to commercial licenses, according to the enrolled text of AB 60.
Which Identity Documents Does California Accept for AB 60?
California accepts 1 document from its Table A list or 2 from Table B. Table A includes the Mexican matrícula consular in its 2014 or 2022 version, the INE or IFE voter card, a Mexican passport issued in 2008 or later, and other DMV-approved passports. Without these, a DMV secondary review checks other records instead.
- 1Table A — bring 1: Mexican matrícula consular (2014 or 2022 version); INE voter card (2014 version) or IFE voter card (2013 version); Mexican passport issued in 2008 or later with a digital photo and signature; or a valid passport from a country on the DMV's approved list, issued in or after the year the list shows.
- 2Table B — bring 2: approved national ID cards and consular cards, such as El Salvador's DUI (2010 or 2022), Guatemala's DPI (2012), and consular cards from Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala, and Honduras, in the versions the guide lists. An approved passport also counts toward Table B.
- 3Secondary review — if you have neither: the DMV reviews as many records as you can bring, such as school records with a photo or birth date, court documents naming you, income tax returns, a foreign driver's license, or marriage and divorce records, and may interview you.
The full country-by-country list is in the DMV's AB 60 document guide (DL 1065). Documents in another language may need an English translation, as the guide notes for marriage and divorce records.
What Counts as Proof of California Residency?
You need 1 document showing your name and California address, and it must match the mailing address on your application. The DMV's AB 60 guide accepts a signed lease or rental agreement, a deed or mortgage bill, a home utility or cellphone bill, school documents, and medical documents, among others listed in Table D.
Tip
Bring originals, not photocopies. If the address on your bill differs from the one you'll write on the DL 44, fix that before your appointment — the guide requires them to match for most document types.
How Much Does an AB 60 License Cost and How Long Is It Valid?
An original California Class C license costs $46, the same fee every driver pays, and a behind-the-wheel retest costs $9. Under Vehicle Code section 12816, the license expires on your fifth birthday after the date you apply, and each renewal runs to your fifth birthday after the old card's expiration date.
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Class C license — original or renewal | $46 |
| Behind-the-wheel retest | $9 |
| Replacement (lost or stolen) | $37 |
Fees come from the California DMV licensing fees page, and the term rule is in Vehicle Code section 12816. Check the current amounts before you pay.
How Do I Apply for an AB 60 License Step by Step?
Applying takes 6 steps: check eligibility with the DMV's AB 60 checklist, start the DL 44 application online, pass the knowledge test, gather your identity and residency documents, finish the application at a DMV appointment, and pass the behind-the-wheel test. The DMV then mails your license to the address on file.
- Step 1: Use the DMV's AB 60 checklist to confirm what you need.
- Step 2: Create a MyDMV account and start the DL 44 driver's license application online.
- Step 3: Study the California Driver's Handbook and take the knowledge test, which is offered in more than 40 languages. Drivers ages 15 to 17½ must also finish driver education.
- Step 4: Gather 1 Table A document (or 2 from Table B) and 1 proof of residency.
- Step 5: Book a DMV appointment, check in at the Start Here window, and complete the application. Interpreters are available through 1-800-777-0133.
- Step 6: If you need a secondary review, finish that interview first, then schedule and pass the behind-the-wheel drive test.
What Does the AB 60 Card Say, and What Can't It Do?
The front of an AB 60 license reads "Federal Limits Apply," and the law requires a notice that it isn't acceptable for official federal purposes. It also doesn't establish eligibility for work, voter registration, or public benefits, so TSA won't take it at airport checkpoints. Inside California, it is a full Class C license for driving.
- Drive legally anywhere in California and buy auto insurance — see car insurance without an SSN
- Show it to California businesses and police as a state-issued license
You cannot use it to:
- Board a domestic flight or enter a secure federal building — use your passport instead (see flying with an ITIN)
- Prove immigration status, work authorization, or eligibility to vote
What Protections Does California Law Give AB 60 Holders?
California law bars discrimination against AB 60 license holders and forbids using the license as a reason to investigate, arrest, or detain someone over citizenship or immigration status. The information you give the DMV under section 12801.9, including the SSN statement, is not a public record. These are state rules, and federal agencies aren't bound by them.
The protections come from the text of AB 60, which adds discrimination against license holders to what California's civil rights laws prohibit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an ITIN to get an AB 60 license?
No. California doesn't ask for an ITIN. If you don't have a Social Security number, you sign a statement on the application that you aren't eligible for one, and that statement is not a public record.
Does the California DMV accept the matrícula consular?
Yes. The 2014 and 2022 versions of the Mexican matrícula consular are on Table A, so one card is enough to prove identity. Older versions aren't on the list.
How many proofs of residency do I need for AB 60?
One. It must show your name and a California address that matches the mailing address on your DL 44 application, such as a lease, utility bill, or mortgage bill.
What if my passport isn't on the DMV's approved list?
You can still apply. The DMV sends you to secondary review, where it checks other records such as school, court, tax, or marriage documents and may interview you before your drive test.
Can I fly with an AB 60 license?
No. The card says "Federal Limits Apply" and isn't REAL ID, so TSA won't accept it. Use your foreign passport or another TSA-accepted ID.
Can DACA recipients get a regular California license?
Yes. DACA recipients with a valid work permit and a Social Security number can prove authorized presence, so they apply for a regular license instead of an AB 60 license.
Which Other States Issue Licenses Without an SSN?
California is 1 of 19 states, plus Washington, D.C., that license drivers without proof of lawful status. Nearby Oregon, Nevada, and Utah do too, though Nevada and Utah issue driver authorization or privilege cards with their own rules, and Arizona does not. Wyoming, Florida, Tennessee and Georgia restrict some or all of these licenses.
For the complete list with each state's law and requirements, see the full driver's license guide →