Although the Driver’s License Access and Privacy Act, commonly called the “Green Light Act,” went into effect on December 16, 2019, many undocumented immigrants and recent arrivals still struggle to understand the process of obtaining a license. .
Since the passage of the Green Light Law in 2019, more than 750,000 undocumented immigrants meet the criteria for a standard driver’s license.
The Green Light Law allows all New Yorkers over the age of 16 to apply for a standard driver’s license or learner’s permit, not for federal or commercial use.
Under the Driver License Access and Privacy Act, the Department of Motor Vehicles does not require a Social Security card to issue a license or permit, but the applicant must sign an Affidavit that they have never been issued a Social Security Number. Social when applying for a standard driver’s license
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
All applicants for a standard driver’s license must show a combination of documents that prove:
- Name
- Date of Birth
- Residency in the state of New York
THE DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES ALSO ACCEPTS:
- Valid and unexpired foreign passport issued by your country of citizenship.
Valid and current consular identification document issued by a consulate.
- Valid foreign driver’s license that includes your photo and is current or expired less than 24 months.
- Permanent resident card, which is not expired or expired less than 24 months ago.
- Employment Authorization Card, which is not expired or expired less than 24 months ago.
- Border crossing card.
- US municipal identification card (for example, New York City ID) with photo.
- Foreign marriage or divorce registration or name change decree issued by a court.
- Foreign birth certificate.
Check here the standard guide to licenses and permits to see a list of all tests that are accepted as of 2019.
IMPORTANT. Make sure all documents show the same name. It must be original or certified by the issuing agency, not expired, translated into English by a certified language interpreter, and not mutilated or damaged.
REAL ID DOES NOT APPLY FOR THE STANDARD LICENSE
If you do not have proof that you have a Social Security Number, if you have been issued a Letter of Ineligibility for Social Security by the Social Security Administration, or if you do not have proof of legal status in the United States, your standard driver’s license will not comply. with the federal REAL ID Act.
In accordance with the law, all licenses that do not meet REAL ID standards are marked “NOT FOR FEDERAL PURPOSES.” This also means that after May 3, 2023, you cannot use your license to board a domestic flight (within the United States) or enter some secure federal buildings.
NON-DRIVER IDENTIFICATION
The Green Light Law does not apply to non-driver identification cards.
YOUR LICENSE OR PERMIT WILL LOOK NO DIFFERENT FROM OTHER STANDARD NEW YORK DRIVER LICENSES
All standard New York State driver’s licenses look the same, regardless of the supporting documents you provide when you apply. All standard driver’s licenses will be marked “NOT FOR FEDERAL PURPOSES.”
TESTING FOR A PERMIT AND LICENSE
You must pass a written (knowledge) test to get a learner’s permit and then you must pass a road test before you can get a driver’s license. Follow the steps below to get your learner’s permit and driver’s license.
PASO 1: Study the New York State Driver’s Manual and take practice tests.
To prepare for the written permit test, read the New York State Driver’s Manual online (or get a hard copy at any DMV office) and take the practice tests for each chapter. If you do not study the Driver’s Manual, you will not pass the exam. The manual is available in Spanish here.
PASO 2: Go to a DMV office to apply for a permit and take the test.
Some offices, such as White Plains, Huntington, and License Express, do not offer knowledge tests. Find an office location and review the services provided before visiting the office for the knowledge test.
PASO 3: Practice driving and take an authorized pre-licensing course.
As long as you have the permit, you should practice driving. You must also take a DMV-authorized pre-licensing course. See additional information on how to obtain a permit.
PASO 4: schedule and take the road test to get your license.
After passing the knowledge course and becoming comfortable driving, you must take and pass a DMV road test to obtain your license. During this test, you will be in a car with a DMV road test examiner who will ask you to prove that he knows how to drive safely. Once you pass this test, you will receive a driver’s license. See additional information on how to obtain a driver’s license.
YOU CANNOT APPLY FOR A BUSINESS LICENSE (CDL) UNDER THIS LAW
You can only apply for a non-commercial license under this law.
THIS LAW DOES NOT ALLOW YOU TO REGISTER TO VOTE IF YOU DO NOT MEET THE CRITERIA
This law does not change your eligibility to register to vote in New York. Only US citizens are eligible to register to vote.
THIS LAW DOES NOT ALLOW YOU TO BECOME A US CITIZEN
This law pertains solely to driving privileges in New York State. It does not provide a path to citizenship for applicants who are not yet US citizens.
WHAT IS A LEARNERS PERMIT?
A learner’s permit is an indication that the applicant has passed the written test that includes all traffic regulations and is learning to drive. It is the first step in applying for a license.
To obtain the permit, you will need to take and pass a written test, which covers the rules of the road, how to keep your license, the different types of licenses, and other topics necessary for driver and pedestrian safety.
The test itself will consist of 20 questions randomly selected from sections of the manual. Questions can be accessed practice test here. You only need to answer 14 of the 20 questions correctly to pass.
READY FOR THE WRITTEN EXAM?
The exam can be scheduled in thirteen different languages and can be taken online or in person. For online, you will need to have a tablet or computer with a webcam enabled. Regardless of the method you choose, you will need proof of address, birth, and identity.
Also, if you have never been issued a social security number, you will need to complete and notarize an affidavit. Here is the template to bring to your appointment.
To satisfy the proof of identity, you will need to provide documentation that adds up to 6 points. And one document for proof of age, and another for proof of address.
PRACTICAL EXAM AND DRIVER’S LICENSE
Once you’ve received your learner’s permit, you can work toward your driver’s license.
For this you need:
- Complete a 5-hour pre-licensing course or a college driver’s education course.
- You’ll need to get the right amount of supervised driving practice (50 hours recommended for beginners and people under 18).
- The 5-hour course is a DMV-approved course that covers important topics related to driving habits, skills, and driving within the highway transportation system.
- The course is available through high schools, colleges, and numerous private driving schools. It can be done in person or remotely (the school of your choice will tell you). Upon completion of the course, you will be issued a Pre-Licensing Course Completion Certificate (MV-285) that is valid for one year from the date of completion.
SUPERVISED DRIVING
Under the supervision of a parent/guardian or adult friend who has a driver’s license, the instruction permit allows you to get behind the wheel and practice driving, except in the following places:
- On any street within a park in New York City.
- On any bridge or tunnel under the jurisdiction of the Tri-borough Bridge and Tunnel Authority.
- On Cross County, Hutchinson River, Saw Mill River, or Taconic State Parkways in Westchester County.
- In a DMV test drive area.
For those under the age of 18, they must wait 6 months after obtaining their learner’s permit before applying for a driver’s license.
SCHEDULE AND PASS A PRACTICAL EXAM
You can schedule a driving test using the DMV scheduling system. You can take the road test anywhere in New York and you can choose the location by entering the zip code of your choice. There is no charge to take the driving test, but the cost of a driver’s license there can range from $64.50 to $107.50, depending on your age and the type of license.
If you don’t pass the road test, you can retake it after two weeks. If you fail twice, you will be charged a $10 retest fee.
RENEW AN EXPIRED LICENSE
If you obtained your license without showing proof of a Social Security Number and need to renew or replace it, you will need to do so by mail or in person at a DMV office. DMV online services require the user to have a Social Security Number on file.
Here you can find more details.
GET HELP IN SPANISH
All DMV offices will provide language access assistance to individuals with limited English proficiency.
PRIVACY PROTECTIONS
The law provides a number of privacy protections that limit data sharing, even to agencies that primarily enforce immigration laws, and requires disclosure to license holders when immigration enforcement agencies request data from the DMV.
RATE
Fees to apply for a driver’s license or permit range from $64.50 to $107.50 and can be paid by cash, check, or credit/debit card.
OFFICE OF NEW AMERICANS (ONA) HOTLINE: 1-800-566-7636
The New York State Hotline for New Americans is a toll-free, multilingual hotline that can help DMV customers with any immigration-related or discrimination issues they experience at a DMV office. The hotline provides live assistance in more than 200 languages. Anyone can call the hotline for information and referrals, regardless of citizenship or documented status. Calls to the hotline are confidential and anonymous.
WILL MY INFORMATION BE SHARED WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT?
No. The law restricts access by immigration agencies unless required by court order.
Visit https://dmv.ny.gov/driver-license/driver-licenses-and-green-light-law for more information.
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