The Number
This page is the running 2026 reference. Each state below has the year its law took effect, the type of license issued, and a link to the dedicated state guide with the documents you need to bring.
The Full List of 19 States + D.C.
| State | Law / Bill | Year in Effect | License Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | AB 60 | 2015 | Federal Limits Apply |
| Colorado | SB 13-251 | 2014 | Not for Federal ID |
| Connecticut | SB 1343 | 2015 | Drive Only |
| Delaware | HB 225 | 2016 | Driving Privilege Card |
| Hawaii | HB 1007 | 2016 | Limited Purpose |
| Illinois | SB 957 | 2013 | Temporary Visitor DL |
| Maryland | SB 715 | 2013 | Federal Limits Apply |
| Massachusetts | Work and Family Mobility Act | 2023 | Standard (no REAL ID) |
| Minnesota | HF 4 (Driver's Licenses for All) | 2023 | Standard (no REAL ID) |
| Nevada | AB 176 | 2014 | Driver Authorization Card |
| New Jersey | A4743 | 2021 | Standard Basic License |
| New Mexico | SB 582 | 2003 | Driving Authorization Card |
| New York | Green Light NY | 2019 | Standard (not for federal use) |
| Oregon | SB 558 (HB 2015) | 2021 | Driver License |
| Rhode Island | Driving Privilege Card Act | 2023 | Driving Privilege Card |
| Utah | HB 109 | 2005 | Driving Privilege Card |
| Vermont | S 38 | 2014 | Driver's Privilege Card |
| Virginia | HB 1211 / SB 34 | 2021 | Driver Privilege Card |
| Washington | Existing law, no SSN required | 1993 | Standard (not REAL ID) |
| Washington D.C. | DC Law 20-48 | 2014 | Limited Purpose DL |
All 20 jurisdictions issue licenses that are federally non-compliant. They are valid for driving and most state-level ID purposes, but they cannot be used to board domestic flights or enter federal buildings.
What "Federal Limits Apply" Means
After the federal REAL ID Act of 2005, states had to choose: issue REAL ID-compliant licenses (which require proof of lawful presence), issue non-compliant licenses (which do not), or both. The 19 states + D.C. on this list issue non-compliant licenses to residents who cannot prove lawful presence.
These licenses are marked with language like "Federal Limits Apply," "Not for Federal ID," or "Driving Privilege Only." You can use them to:
- Drive legally within and outside your home state
- Get pulled over without an automatic immigration referral (state law in most of these jurisdictions limits when DMV records can be shared with federal immigration authorities)
- Open a bank account at most major banks (Chase, Wells Fargo, Bank of America, Capital One)
- Verify your identity at hospitals, libraries, schools, courts, and most government offices
- Rent a car at most agencies
You cannot use these licenses to:
- Board a domestic flight (you need a passport or REAL ID)
- Enter a federal courthouse, military base, or other federal facility
- Apply for federal benefits that require lawful presence
When Each Law Took Effect
The first state to allow undocumented immigrants to get a driver's license was New Mexico in 2003, under SB 582. Utah followed in 2005. Then there was a long gap until California's AB 60 passed in 2013 and took effect in 2015 — that started the modern wave.
Between 2013 and 2025, 17 more states and Washington D.C. passed similar laws. The most recent additions are Minnesota (October 2023), Massachusetts (July 2023), and Rhode Island (July 2023).
Pending legislation as of 2026
Michigan and Pennsylvania each have active bills under consideration that would join this list. Florida and Texas previously had similar bills introduced but those did not advance. New Hampshire and Wisconsin have ongoing advocacy campaigns. None of these have passed at the time of writing.
What You Need to Apply
Each state has slightly different document requirements, but the common pattern is:
- Identity — a foreign passport (current or expired up to 1 year), consular ID (Mexican Matrícula Consular, Guatemalan, etc.), or birth certificate
- State residency — utility bills, lease agreement, school records, mortgage statement (typically 2 documents from the last 90 days)
- Tax ID number — an ITIN (or, in a few states, a sworn affidavit if you do not have one)
- Proof you live in the state for a minimum period, varying from 30 days to 12 months
For exact document requirements in your state, see the dedicated state guide:
- California documents
- New York documents
- Illinois documents
- New Jersey documents
- Massachusetts documents
- All 19 states + D.C.
What If My State Is Not on the List?
The remaining 31 states do not currently issue driver's licenses to people who cannot prove lawful presence. The two largest by population — Texas and Florida — have specific guides for ITIN holders living there:
In those states, a foreign driver's license is generally valid for short-term visitors, and an International Driving Permit (IDP) issued in your home country can extend that. Long-term undocumented residents usually need to either move to a state on the list above or rely on alternate ID (consular ID, foreign passport).