Posted: May 4, 2021
As of May 1st, 2021, undocumented individuals living in the state of New Jersey can obtain a state driver’s license. Under this new law, undocumented individuals may be issued a standard driver’s license regardless of legal status, providing a new opportunity for people who have, until now, been denied access to driving legally in the United States.
Signed in 2019 by Gov. Phil Murphy, this law allows undocumented immigrants to obtain a license, extending driving privileges to an estimated 400,000 of New Jersey’s undocumented workers. It also opens the door to others who may lack documentation including:
- Homeless Individuals
- Former Prisoners
- Domestic Violence Survivors
- Senior Citizens
- Others Lacking Proper Documentation
How to Apply for a License
The rollout of the application process was delayed due to COVID-19, but has now begun. Undocumented individuals who are eligible to drive can apply online for an appointment through the Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC). Applicants will be asked to provide a Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer ID Number to establish New Jersey residency. If you do not have either of these things, starting June 1st, you will be able to visit an MVC office to sign or have notarized an affidavit attesting to residency. This must be done in front of an MVC employee.
In addition to establishing residency, applicants must pass a written and vision test before being issued a permit. Standard with the issuing of a permit comes the requirement for three months of supervised driving before a road test can be taken. Once the road test is passed, a probationary license will be issued. This license allows you to drive without supervision, but limits the number of passengers you can carry to one and prohibits driving between the hours of 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. After holding your probationary license for a year, you can be upgraded to a standard license, allowing you to operate non-commercial passenger vehicles on any road in the United States.
Contact Shapiro & Sternlieb
Shapiro & Sternlieb is a personal injury law firm located in Englishtown, New Jersey. Our experienced attorneys are here to help drivers, regardless of legal status, seek justice after an accident. If you need help, please call us at 732-617-8050 to schedule a free case review and learn more about your rights and options.
