Driver’s Licenses

Overview

Across the United States, a driver’s license is an essential lifeline, for people to get to work, pick their kids up from school, visit the doctor’s office, and travel around their communities — safely and easily.

The National Immigration Law Center is working to remove unnecessary barriers to driver’s licenses, so that everyone has the freedom to move.

Why It Matters

In 31 states across the country, undocumented immigrants are unjustly denied access to driver’s licenses. This results in less trained, tested, licensed, and insured drivers on the road, compromising safety for all. It also perpetuates fear within immigrant communities of potential family separation during routine traffic stops and creates barriers for immigrants’ ability to contribute to our communities and the economy.

A driver’s license is more than a piece of paper — it offers access to economic opportunity,  freedom of mobility, and a sense of community belonging. Our communities are stronger and safer when people, regardless of immigration status, can access driver’s licenses.

Our Work

At NILC, we are fighting in the courts and working with state advocates and local organizations to change that, and we have already made progress.

In Arizona and Indiana, we challenged discriminatory laws in court that denied equal access to driver’s licenses and state IDs — and won. Across the country, we have supported grassroots campaigns that have secured critical driver’s license reforms and we continue to organize to bring more states on board. And while there’s still so much work to be done, we’re determined to keep fighting until everyone, regardless of their country of origin or immigration status, can access a driver’s license.