You can get a driver’s license with an ITIN in 19 states and the District of Columbia. The license you receive is a limited-purpose document rather than a standard REAL ID, which means it works for driving but not for federal identification uses like boarding a domestic flight. Each state sets its own eligibility rules, document list, and fees, so what the process looks like depends on where you live.
States That Issue Licenses to ITIN Holders
The states that issue driver’s licenses or driving privilege cards without requiring proof of lawful immigration status are California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington, along with the District of Columbia. Minnesota was the most recent to pass such a law, in 2023.1National Conference of State Legislatures. States Offering Driver’s Licenses to Immigrants
If your state is not on that list, an ITIN alone will generally not get you a license. Most other states require a Social Security Number or proof of authorized immigration status. This area of law is politically active: some states have introduced legislation to repeal these programs while others have considered expanding them, so check your state’s DMV website for current rules before you start the process.
What the License Actually Looks Like
The license issued to ITIN holders is not REAL ID-compliant. It is typically marked with language like “Not for Federal Purposes” or “Federal Limits Apply” to signal that it was issued without proof of lawful status or a Social Security Number.1National Conference of State Legislatures. States Offering Driver’s Licenses to Immigrants Some states call it a “driving privilege card” or “driver authorization card” rather than a standard license.
For everyday driving, it works the same as any license. It proves you passed the required tests and satisfies the legal requirement to carry a license while driving. Where it falls short is federal identification, and that gap widened after May 7, 2025, when TSA stopped accepting non-REAL-ID-compliant state licenses at airport security.2Transportation Security Administration. TSA Publishes Final Rule on REAL ID Enforcement Beginning May 7, 2025
The validity period is often shorter than for a standard license. Where standard licenses typically last four to eight years, limited-purpose licenses may need to be renewed every one to three years, which means more frequent DMV visits and additional renewal fees over time.
Documents You’ll Need to Bring
Exact requirements differ by state, but DMV offices generally ask for documents in three categories: proof of identity, proof of state residency, and your ITIN.
Proof of Identity
A valid, unexpired foreign passport is the most widely accepted identity document. Many states also accept a consular identification card from your country of citizenship, such as a Mexican matrícula consular. Some states accept a foreign birth certificate or other government-issued photo ID. If any document is not in English, expect to provide a certified English translation. Most states want an affirmation from the translator certifying the translation is complete and accurate.
Proof of Residency
You will typically need at least two documents showing your name and current address in the state. Commonly accepted items include utility bills, bank statements, lease agreements, and mortgage statements. Some states also accept pay stubs or official government correspondence. A few states require a minimum period of residency, and some use state income tax returns from the prior one or two years as the primary way to prove it.
Your ITIN Documentation
Bring your IRS ITIN assignment letter (CP 565 or CP 567) or your most recent federal tax return showing the ITIN. Some states accept other IRS correspondence. One thing that trips people up: if your ITIN has expired because it was not used on a federal tax return for three consecutive years, some states may not accept it. Confirm your ITIN is still active before you apply.3Internal Revenue Service. How to Renew an ITIN
Keep the ITIN Itself Current
An ITIN that has not appeared on a federal tax return for three consecutive tax years expires on December 31 after that third year of non-use.3Internal Revenue Service. How to Renew an ITIN An expired ITIN can create problems beyond taxes. If your state’s DMV requires a valid ITIN at renewal, an expired number could delay or block the process.
Renewing an ITIN requires filing IRS Form W-7 with supporting identification documents. You can submit the renewal by mail to the IRS Austin Service Center, or apply in person at an IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center or through a Certifying Acceptance Agent.4Internal Revenue Service. How to Apply for an ITIN Applying in person gets your original documents authenticated and returned immediately rather than mailed away for weeks. Plan ahead, because IRS processing can take several weeks.
If you do not yet have an ITIN, the application process is the same: Form W-7 plus a federal tax return and supporting identification. The fastest route is applying in person at an IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center.
The Application at the DMV
Once you have the documents together, the process follows the same general steps as any driver’s license application. You complete an application form (usually available online), schedule an appointment where required, submit your documents, take a vision screening and a written knowledge test, and then schedule a road test. Fees vary by state but generally fall between $25 and $80 for the initial license. Many states offer the written test in multiple languages, including Spanish, Chinese, and Korean; your state’s DMV website should list the options.
One wrinkle catches ITIN applicants off guard. Some states run document verification through the federal SAVE system or a similar review. The initial automated check takes seconds, but if your documents get flagged for additional verification, the manual review can take roughly 18 federal workdays.5U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. SAVE Verification Response Time Do not count on walking out with a license the same day.
What This License Won’t Let You Do
No Commercial Driver’s License
Federal law draws a hard line. To obtain a Commercial Driver’s License, you must provide proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residency. Acceptable documents include a valid U.S. passport, a certified birth certificate, a certificate of naturalization, or a permanent resident card.6eCFR. 49 CFR 383.71 – Driver Application and Certification An ITIN does not satisfy this requirement, and no state can override the federal standard. If your livelihood depends on commercial driving, that limitation matters.
Domestic Flights and Federal Buildings
Since May 7, 2025, TSA checkpoints no longer accept non-REAL-ID-compliant driver’s licenses for boarding domestic flights.2Transportation Security Administration. TSA Publishes Final Rule on REAL ID Enforcement Beginning May 7, 2025 Because ITIN-based licenses are specifically marked as not compliant, they will not get you through airport security on their own.
You have two alternatives. First, present a different form of acceptable ID at the checkpoint. A valid foreign passport is the most practical option for most ITIN holders, but TSA also accepts a U.S. passport card, a permanent resident card, a DHS trusted traveler card, a U.S. Employment Authorization Card, and several other documents.7Transportation Security Administration. Acceptable Identification at the TSA Checkpoint
Second, starting February 1, 2026, TSA offers a fallback called ConfirmID. For a $45 fee, travelers without an acceptable form of ID can undergo additional identity verification at the checkpoint. TSA warns the process can take up to 30 minutes and may result in a missed flight if you have not planned for it, so it is genuinely a last resort.8Transportation Security Administration. $45 Fee Option for Air Travelers Without a REAL ID Begins February 1
The same restrictions apply to entering certain federal facilities and nuclear power plants. If you regularly need access to federal buildings, carry your passport or another accepted ID alongside your license.
Auto Insurance With an ITIN License
A valid license, even a limited-purpose one, opens the door to auto insurance. Most states require drivers to carry liability insurance, and most insurers require a valid license before they will sell you a policy. Without a license, you are generally locked out of both legal driving and affordable coverage.
ITIN holders often face higher premiums. Insurers typically treat someone without a U.S. driving history as a new driver regardless of years spent driving in another country. Limited credit history, common for people without a Social Security Number, can push rates higher in states that allow credit-based pricing. Shop around, because some insurers specialize in this market while others will not write the policy at all.
Driving without insurance is a separate legal problem on top of driving without a license. In most states, getting caught means fines, license suspension, and potentially having to carry an SR-22 proof of insurance for years afterward. SR-22 policies cost far more than standard coverage, so getting insured from the start saves real money.
How Your Information Is Handled
A reasonable concern for ITIN applicants is whether personal information provided to the DMV could be shared with federal immigration authorities. Many of the states that issue these licenses have passed specific laws addressing this, and the protections are generally strong.
The most common approach restricts DMV data disclosure to situations involving a court order, judicial warrant, or criminal subpoena. Several states explicitly exclude civil immigration enforcement from the categories of requests the DMV can fulfill. Some prohibit DMV employees from responding to inquiries from immigration agencies without a judicial warrant reviewed by the governor’s office or attorney general. Others have terminated federal immigration agencies’ access to state motor vehicle databases entirely.
The strength of these protections varies, and enforcement policies can shift with changes in state leadership. If this concern matters to you, look up the specific data-sharing laws in your state, and immigrant legal aid organizations in your area can usually explain current protections and any recent changes.