Which states issue a driving credential without proof of lawful status?
Federal law sets what a REAL ID compliant card requires. What varies by state is whether the state also issues a card that is not REAL ID compliant to a resident who cannot show evidence of lawful immigration status. This page records the answer for every state and the District of Columbia, with the law behind each one.
This page is a record of law and agency policy, and nothing else. It contains no guidance, no recommendations and no opinion about anyone's circumstances. Immigration and licensing questions about an individual are legal questions, and this site is not a source of legal advice. Every row points at the agency page or statute it came from so that the primary source can be read directly.
What REAL ID requires, in every state
“A DMV may issue a REAL ID driver's license or identification card only to a person who has presented satisfactory evidence of lawful status.”
6 CFR 37.11(g). 6 CFR 37.11, Legal Information Institute, read 2026-08-28
That rule is the same everywhere, so no credential listed on this page is REAL ID compliant. Each of the states below issues its non compliant card under its own law, and each of those laws requires a marking on the card stating that it is not acceptable for official federal purposes.
State by state
None recorded means no state law providing this access was found and none appears in the national survey below. It is a record of what was found, not a finding that a state has ruled the question out.
What each agency says about its own credential
The text under each heading describes the credential as the licensing agency or the statute describes it. Nothing is paraphrased into a recommendation.
California
AB 60 driver's license
For people who cannot provide proof of legal presence but can prove identity and California residency. The knowledge test is offered in more than forty languages.
- Law
- AB 60 (2013), Cal. Veh. Code sec. 12801.9
- In force from
- January 1, 2015
- On the card
- Federal Limits Apply
California DMV, AB 60 Driver's Licenses, read 2026-08-28
Colorado
Standard driver license or ID under the Colorado Road and Community Safety Act
Issued to a noncitizen Colorado resident who cannot provide proof of lawful presence, on a passport, consular identification card or military identification document.
- Law
- SB 13-251, C.R.S. sec. 42-2-503
- In force from
- August 1, 2014
- On the card
- Not valid for federal identification, voting or public benefit purposes
Colorado DMV, Standard Licenses and IDs (CO-RCSA SB251), read 2026-08-28
Connecticut
Drive-only license
For people aged 16 and over who cannot establish legal presence or may not have a Social Security number. Requires ninety days of Connecticut residency and two forms of identification. A Connecticut felony conviction disqualifies an applicant.
- Law
- HB 6495 (2013)
- In force from
- January 1, 2015
- On the card
- For driving purposes only, not valid for identification
Connecticut DMV, Getting a drive-only license, read 2026-08-28
Delaware
Driving Privilege Card
A valid driver license for driving purposes only, issued to undocumented Delaware residents of any nationality. US citizens and people holding valid legal presence documents are not eligible for it.
- Law
- SB 59 (2015)
- In force from
- January 1, 2016
- On the card
- Driving Privilege Only, Not Valid for Identification
Delaware DMV, Driving Privilege Card, read 2026-08-28
District of Columbia
Limited Purpose driver license
For District residents aged 16 and over who have never been issued a Social Security number, are no longer eligible for one, or are not eligible to be issued one. The knowledge, road skills and vision tests are all required.
- Law
- B20-275 (2013)
- In force from
- May 1, 2014
- On the card
- Not valid for official federal purposes
DC DMV, Limited Purpose Driver License, read 2026-08-28
Hawaii
Limited purpose driver's license, provisional license and instruction permit
Issued to an applicant who meets every other requirement but is unable or unwilling to provide satisfactory proof of authorized presence, on proof of identity and Hawaii residence. No Social Security number is required.
- Law
- Act 172 (2015), HRS sec. 286-104.5
- In force from
- January 1, 2016
- On the card
- Not acceptable for official federal purposes
City and County of Honolulu, Limited Purpose Driver's License, read 2026-08-28
Illinois
Standard driver's license
The Temporary Visitor Driver's License was replaced by a four year standard license. An applicant without a Social Security number qualifies on a valid nonimmigrant visa, or on one year of Illinois residence plus a passport or consular identification document.
- Law
- SB 957 (2022) and HB 3882 (2023), 625 ILCS 5/6-105.1
- In force from
- July 1, 2024
- On the card
- Federal Limits Apply
Illinois Secretary of State, Driver's License and State ID Card Information, read 2026-08-28
The Illinois Secretary of State site refuses automated requests, so this row was confirmed from the National Immigration Law Center table and the statute reference rather than read on ilsos.gov itself. Retry when that domain is reachable.
Maryland
Noncompliant driver's license or ID card
For an applicant who has no evidence of lawful status or Social Security number. Maryland income tax must have been filed, or the applicant claimed as a dependent on a Maryland return, for the preceding two years, and the Comptroller issues a certification letter for the appointment.
- Law
- SB 715 (2013), Md. Code, Transp. sec. 16-122
- In force from
- January 1, 2014
- On the card
- Not acceptable by federal agencies for official purposes
Maryland MVA, Noncompliant Driver's Licenses and IDs, read 2026-08-28
mva.maryland.gov refused automated requests today, so the wording above comes from the agency page as indexed plus the statute and the National Immigration Law Center table, not from a direct read of the MVA page.
Massachusetts
Standard Class D or Class M driver's license
The Act removed the requirement to prove immigration status. An applicant provides proof of identity and date of birth, proof of Social Security status, and proof of Massachusetts residency, and the license issued looks the same as any other standard license.
- Law
- Work and Family Mobility Act, H 4805 (2022)
- In force from
- July 1, 2023
- On the card
- Not for Federal ID
Massachusetts RMV, Work and Family Mobility Act, read 2026-08-28
Minnesota
Standard driver's license, permit or ID card
Proof of legal presence is no longer needed for an instruction permit, driver's license or identification card. An applicant presents one primary and one secondary identity document, or two primary documents, from the standard list.
- Law
- Driver's License for All, HF 4 (2023)
- In force from
- October 1, 2023
- On the card
- Not for federal identification
Minnesota DVS, Driver's License for All, read 2026-08-28
The DVS page moved to content.dps.mn.gov and renders its body from a script, so the wording above rests on the statute and the national survey alongside the agency page as indexed rather than a direct read.
Nevada
Driver Authorization Card
The statute states that any provision requiring a Social Security number is deemed not to require one for an applicant for a driver authorization card. Proof of name, age and Nevada residence is still required.
- Law
- SB 303 (2013), NRS sec. 483.291
- In force from
- January 1, 2014
- On the card
- Not valid for identification, not accepted for federal purposes
Nevada DMV, Driver Authorization Card, read 2026-08-28
New Jersey
Standard basic driver's license or non-driver ID
An applicant provides proof of identity, age and New Jersey residence, and either a Social Security number, an individual taxpayer identification number, or an indication that they are not eligible for a Social Security number. Proof of lawful presence is not part of the standard license.
- Law
- A4743 / S3229 (2019)
- In force from
- January 1, 2021
- On the card
- Not acceptable for official federal purposes under REAL ID
New Jersey MVC, 6 Points of ID, read 2026-08-28
New Mexico
Standard driver's license
An applicant who does not show proof of lawful status may apply only for the standard license, on proof of identity, age and New Mexico residence. State and local agencies must accept it for every purpose a REAL ID license would be accepted for. The older Driving Authorization Card was discontinued in November 2016.
- Law
- HB 99 (2016), NMSA 1978 sec. 66-5-9
- In force from
- May 18, 2016
- On the card
- Not Intended for Federal Purposes
New Mexico MVD, Driver's Licenses and IDs, read 2026-08-28
mvd.newmexico.gov refused automated requests today. The description above rests on the statute text and the agency pages as indexed, plus the National Immigration Law Center table, not a direct read of the MVD page.
New York
Standard driver license or learner permit
People aged 16 and over may apply regardless of citizenship or lawful status. An applicant with no Social Security number signs Form NSS-1A, an affidavit stating that one has never been issued.
- Law
- Driver's License Access and Privacy Act, A3675 (2019), known as the Green Light Law
- In force from
- December 15, 2019
- On the card
- Not for Federal Purposes
New York DMV, Driver Licenses and the Green Light Law, read 2026-08-28
Oregon
Non-REAL ID standard driver license or ID card
An applicant provides proof of identity, date of birth and address, and either a Social Security number or a written statement that they have not been issued one. A non-REAL ID credential may not be used as evidence of citizenship or immigration status for any purpose.
- Law
- Equal Access to Roads Act, HB 2015 (2019)
- In force from
- January 1, 2021
- On the card
- Not for REAL ID purposes
Oregon DMV, Required Identity Documentation, read 2026-08-28
Rhode Island
Driver's Privilege Card and Identification Privilege Card
For a Rhode Island resident who cannot establish legal presence and who filed a Rhode Island personal income tax return in the prior tax year or was claimed as a dependent on one. Proof of legal presence and a Social Security number are not required.
- Law
- SB 2006 (2022) and SB 129 / HB 6521 (2023), R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 31-10.4
- In force from
- July 1, 2023
- On the card
- Identical in appearance to other non-REAL ID Rhode Island credentials
Rhode Island DMV, Driver's Privilege Card and Identification Privilege Card FAQs, read 2026-08-28
dmv.ri.gov sits behind a bot check that blocks automated reads, so this row rests on the statute chapter and the National Immigration Law Center table alongside the agency page as indexed.
Utah
Driving Privilege Card
A one year card for an applicant who does not present a Social Security number, on documents verifying identity and Utah residence. Applicants submit fingerprints for a criminal records check, and a card holder is not eligible for a commercial license.
- Law
- SB 227 (2005), later amended, Utah Code sec. 53-3-207
- In force from
- March 8, 2005
- On the card
- For driving privileges only, not valid for identification
Utah Driver License Division, What is a Driving Privilege Card, read 2026-08-28
Vermont
Driver's Privilege Card
The agency's own page states that the card is available to anyone who is a Vermont resident and that issuance does not require proof of lawful status or US citizenship.
- Law
- S 38 (2013), 23 V.S.A. ch. 9
- In force from
- January 1, 2014
- On the card
- Not for Federal Identification
Vermont DMV, Driver's Privilege Card, read 2026-08-28
Virginia
Driver Privilege Card and Identification Privilege Card
For a Virginia resident who is not a US citizen and does not submit the proof of citizenship or immigration status a REAL ID license needs. The applicant must have reported Virginia source income or been claimed as a dependent on a Virginia tax return in the past twelve months.
- Law
- SB 34 (2020), amended by HB 2163 (2021)
- In force from
- January 1, 2021
- On the card
- Front identical to other non-REAL ID Virginia licenses
Virginia DMV, Driver Privilege Card, read 2026-08-28
Washington
Standard driver license or ID card
The Department of Licensing's own identity page states that an applicant provides a Social Security number if they have one, or signs a declaration saying they do not. Proof of lawful presence is required only for a commercial license.
- Law
- SB 5008 (2017), listed as HB 5008 in the national table
- In force from
- July 23, 2017
- On the card
- Marked to show it is not REAL ID compliant
Washington DOL, Documents for proof of identity, read 2026-08-28
How this page was checked
Each state marked yes was matched against the agency page or the statute that creates the credential, and the wording in the cards above follows that source. 5 of them carry a note because the agency domain refused an automated read on the verification date, in which case the statute and the national survey carried the row and the note says so plainly.
The cross check is the National Immigration Law Center, State Laws Providing Access to Driver's Licenses or Cards, Regardless of Immigration Status, table last updated August 2025. The table was read in full from the PDF the resource page links to. It lists nineteen states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Every jurisdiction marked yes below appears in it, and no jurisdiction marked no does. It sits on its resource page as a downloadable table, read 2026-08-28.
What the not compliant marking means in practice
A card that is not REAL ID compliant is a driving credential. It is not accepted at airport security checkpoints or for entry to federal facilities that require identity documents, because those uses are governed by the federal standard rather than by state law. Several of the state laws above go further and say on the face of the card that it does not establish eligibility for employment, voter registration or public benefits.
Beyond that, what the card is accepted for is a matter of each state's own law. New Mexico and New Jersey both require state and local agencies to accept the standard credential for the purposes a compliant one would serve. Delaware, Utah and Connecticut take the opposite approach and mark the card as not valid for identification at all.
Privacy provisions written into the same laws
Most of the statutes on this page carry confidentiality provisions alongside the credential itself. The wording differs, but the pattern in the national survey is consistent: limits on disclosing applicant records, restrictions on facial recognition searches of licensing databases, and provisions stating that holding the credential is not on its own a basis for investigation, arrest or detention. Those clauses are part of the same acts listed in the table.
States with no such law recorded
For the 31 remaining jurisdictions, no state law providing this access was found and none appears in the national survey. That is a statement about what the search returned. It is not a check of each of those agencies' own document requirements, which were not read for this page, and it is not a prediction about what any legislature will do next.
Read how the site sources and dates every figure, or see when each of these rows was last checked.
Common questions about these credentials
How many states issue a driver license without proof of lawful immigration status?
Nineteen states and the District of Columbia have a law providing for it. Puerto Rico does as well, though it sits outside the fifty states and DC. The table on this page lists all fifty one jurisdictions with the law and the date it took effect for each one that has one.
Are these licenses REAL ID compliant?
No. Federal regulation at 6 CFR 37.11(g) allows a REAL ID compliant card to be issued only to a person who has presented satisfactory evidence of lawful status, so a credential issued without that evidence cannot be compliant. Each of the state laws requires a marking on the card saying it is not acceptable for official federal purposes.
What are these credentials called?
The name varies. Colorado, Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Mexico, New Jersey, New York, Oregon and Washington issue an ordinary state license marked as not valid for federal purposes. California calls its version the AB 60 driver's license and Maryland calls its version a noncompliant license. The rest issue a separately named card: a Driving Privilege Card in Delaware and Utah, a Driver Authorization Card in Nevada, a Driver Privilege Card in Rhode Island, Vermont and Virginia, a drive-only license in Connecticut, and a Limited Purpose credential in Hawaii and the District of Columbia.
Is the knowledge test different for these credentials?
No. Where a state issues one of these credentials, the applicant sits the same knowledge test, in the same format and against the same passing score, as any other applicant in that state. The state pages on this site carry that format.
The test itself is the same test
Where a state issues one of these credentials, the applicant sits the same knowledge test as everyone else in that state, in the same format and against the same pass mark. All 51 jurisdictions have a practice suite here.