California to issue driver's licenses to the undocumented in 2015

The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in California will be issuing driver's licenses to

undocumented drivers under a new law as long as they can prove their identity and California residency.

Under the new law - Assembly Bill (AB) 60 - an applicant must still be able to provide proof of identify and residency in California within six months of application.  Furthermore, applicants must be at least 16 years old and without criminal background. The new law is expected to become operative on January 1, 2015.

Licenses issued under AB 60 are visually different from the regular driver's licenses. For instance, instead of using DL (driver's license), it will use DP (driving privileges).

Under AB 60, undocumented drivers must still pass a written and driving test and obtain proof of insurance before they are allowed to drive in the state. Approximately 1.4 million undocumented persons in California are expected to apply for driver's licenses over the next three years under the new law.