CA driver’s license law for est. 1.4 million CA illegal aliens

The law got passed. But the details have yet to be ironed out.

Following Gov. Jerry Brown’s signing Thursday of a driver’s license law for undocumented immigrants, the Department of Motor Vehicles is looking to draft new regulations and prepare field offices before an onslaught of new applications for the permits ...

The bill is expected to draw 1.4 million Californians living in the country illegally to apply for driver’s licenses during the first three years after the law is implemented.

The law is to take effect by Jan. 1, 2015. The cost of the program is estimated to run $140 million to $220 million for the first three years. But the new licenses are expected to raise about $50 million over three years, according to a legislative analysis. AB 60 did not allocate any additional money to pay for the program ...

The DMV plans to adopt regulations that will detail how applicants can provide their identity and California residency. One of the concerns expressed by critics is that people may be able to present false paperwork and obtain a driver’s license in someone else’s name.

DMV officials also will propose a design for the license, which will be reviewed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for compliance with federal law, according to a news release.

The license for people living here illegally will carry a recognizable feature, and the bill suggests “DP” for driving privilege, versus a “DL” for driver license.

Some opponents complained that a different-looking license would have a “scarlet-letter” effect against immigrants. The new law explicitly prohibits discrimination based on this license. It also prohibits using the license for criminal investigation, arrest or detention based on immigration status ...
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• DMV encourages future applicants for a driver's license to prepare for the written exam by studying the California Driver Handbook available on the DMV website at www.dmv.ca.gov.

• The website also features sample tests that could be useful for the applicants. The California Driver Handbook is available in 10 languages at all DMV field offices: English, Armenian, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Punjabi, Russian, Spanish, Tagalog and Vietnamese.

• With the DMV Now app – applicants can also start preparing to take the written driver's license exam by taking sample tests, watching DMV driving videos, finding local DMV field offices and getting important DMV alerts. DMV also has a YouTube channel where drivers can find videos to help hone driving skills and learn the rules of the road.

Source: California Department of Motor Vehicles