Important Change in California Licensing Law

A new policy signed into California law on October 3rd will allow illegal immigrants to obtain driver's licenses in the state. According to a recent study by the University of Southern California, 2.6 million people residing there, the majority of them latino, are without legal residency status. This marks a major change in policy as the state tries to push its immigration priorities ahead of federal policy that has so far been unable to address sweeping national legislation.

The new law, which goes into effect in 2015, will allow the large population in the state to operate motor vehicles legally and go to work, school, doctor's appointments, to buy groceries or anywhere else they need to go without fear of losing their cars or possible deportation. They will be required to purchase automobile insurance which will help relieve the massive uninsured motorist issues in the state. 1.4 million people are expected to apply for licenses over the course of the first 3 years.

California joins 9 other states to allow legal driving for undocumented immigrants.