Gov. Phil Murphy signed the bill allowing undocumented immigrants to obtain driver’s licenses in New Jersey into law on December 19, 2019. New Jersey became the 15th state along with Washington, D.C., to make driver’s licenses available.
The bill would allow for two types of licenses: one compliant with the federal Real ID Act that would let users board domestic flights, and one strictly for driving that would be issued to immigrants without legal status, certain senior citizens and others who lack documentation.
Anyone applying for a drivers license, regardless of immigration status, must provide documents to pass the MVC’s six-point verification test. Criminal penalties for presenting altered and false document will also be expanded. Immigrants applying for the licenses will have to prove identity, age, and New Jersey residence. The documents that they will need to present still are to be determined, but Connolly said they will be similar to those required today, such as passports and birth certificates. The exact list of documents will be proposed through the Motor Vehicle Commission regulations process as defined by statute.
The law takes effect on the first day of the 13th month after enactment, according to the text of the bill. William Connolly, a spokesman for the Motor Vehicle Commission, said this week that 12 months is needed to prepare for the rollout, which requires the agency to write new regulations and get them through the required Commission process as well as make all software changes; and train employees.