Green Light New York

Driving Together! campaign to expand access to drivers’ licenses to all New Yorkers, regardless of immigration status

Partners Involved: Citizen Action of NY, Make the Road NY and New York Communities for Change

The Purpose: To create a standard driver’s license accessible to all residents of New York irrespective of immigration status, and to protect identifying information of those applicants. Currently, New York State residents must demonstrate proof of lawful presence to obtain a driver’s license, which prevents certain immigrants from being able to apply. A10273/S0868, directly address this concern. The proposed legislation would require only proof of identity, age and compliance with demonstrating fitness as a driver, thus providing wider opportunity for obtaining a New York State standard driver’s license. Additionally, A10273/S0868 build in protections to safeguard the information of those who apply for and receive a standard license, and protect standard license holders from discrimination.

Creating a standard driver’s license accessible to all immigrants will help to improve public safety in the state. In areas of New York where driving is a necessity, people risk driving on our public roads without having demonstrated proof of fitness to drive. Roads are safer when all drivers can be tested, licensed and insured. Research has shown that undocumented immigrants are particularly careful drivers, and are even safer when they have a state-issued driver’s license.

Lastly, providing a limited purpose standard driver’s license will generate millions of dollars for the state and actually save New York motorists money. A 2017 report by the Fiscal Policy Institute determined that costs associated with implementing a standard license would be outweighed by revenues generated by application fees and that licensing undocumented immigrant drivers will help lower insurance premiums for all drivers.

As all immigrant New Yorkers face increased scrutiny as to their activities by federal agencies, the ability for the state to protect its residents against unlawful or over-reaching inquiries and discrimination is critical. Subsequently, two critical components  of this legislation include:

  • protection of a standard license applicant’s information unless requested by judicial subpoena or judicial warrant
  • protection against discrimination for using a standard license vs. another type of license.  

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