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Which U.S. states allow undocumented immigrants to get standard driver licenses in 2025?
Executive summary
As of mid‑2025, reporting and advocacy groups most often cite 19 states — plus the District of Columbia (and in some references Puerto Rico) — that allow some form of standard driver’s licenses or driving privileges to people who cannot prove lawful immigration status [1] [2] [3]. National Immigration Law Center maintains a state-by-state table of laws and updates showing which states “provide for the issuance of driver’s licenses or cards … without restricting access on the basis of their immigration status” [4] [5].
1. What the frequently cited number means: “19 states + DC”
Multiple nonprofit and news summaries around 2024–2025 report that 19 states and Washington, D.C., issue licenses or permits to some or all undocumented residents; some outlets add Puerto Rico to that accounting [1] [2] [3]. Those tallies are based on state laws and enacted measures cataloged by groups such as the National Immigration Law Center (NILC) and the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), which compare statutes, eligibility rules, and whether a state requires proof of lawful presence for a REAL ID [5] [6].
2. How the policies differ across states
Not all “licenses” are identical. Some jurisdictions issue standard state licenses without asking for lawful‑presence documentation; others issue restricted, non‑REAL ID cards that explicitly state “Federal Limits Apply” or carry identifiers/markings noting lack of lawful presence [5] [7]. Connecticut and Delaware, for example, place special markings on licenses issued to people without lawful status [8]. That variation matters for travel and federal access: REAL ID‑compliant credentials require proof of lawful presence [7].
3. Recent legislative pushback and state conflicts
Starting in 2023 and continuing into 2024–2025, several Republican‑led states and some governors moved to limit or invalidate out‑of‑state licenses issued to undocumented people, or to criminalize driving with certain marked licenses. Florida passed a law making it a misdemeanor to drive with a license “issued exclusively to undocumented immigrants” or with markings that indicate lack of lawful presence; Tennessee enacted a law invalidating certain out‑of‑state licenses [8] [9]. The Associated Press and Newsweek both describe a trend of states intervening and a partisan split over whether these policies should be expanded or curtailed [8] [9].
4. Why numbers can change and why to check primary state rules
Counts like “19 states” reflect enacted laws at a point in time; states can expand, restrict, or add markings, and some legislatures consider bills that would change eligibility [4] [8]. NILC’s August 2025 table is an explicit example of a living resource recording bill numbers, enactment dates and effective dates — which is why policy trackers matter for up‑to‑date answers [4]. The NCSL and NILC are the two commonly cited, but their updates may differ slightly depending on timing and interpretation of specific statutes [6] [5].
5. Public‑safety and political arguments on both sides
Advocates argue that licensing undocumented people improves road safety by ensuring drivers are tested, trained and insured, and that it helps families access work, medical care and school [5]. Opponents say such licenses can obscure immigration enforcement and worry about identity fraud or that markings are insufficient; those concerns are cited in multiple state debates and news coverage [10] [8]. Reporting notes these are highly politicized debates, with Democratic‑led states generally expanding access and Republican‑led states often seeking limitations [9] [8].
6. What this means in practice for drivers crossing state lines
Even if a person holds a license issued by State A that allows undocumented residents to drive, another state can pass laws refusing recognition of certain out‑of‑state licenses or can penalize driving with licenses “issued exclusively to undocumented immigrants” — as Florida and Tennessee measures demonstrate [8] [9]. That creates legal uncertainty for people who live or travel across states with differing rules [8].
7. How to get the most reliable, current answer
The sources in this dossier point to two practical steps: consult NILC’s state laws table for a bill‑level, updated list of which states issue licenses regardless of immigration status (NILC’s August 2025 resource is cited here) and cross‑check the NCSL map/table for enacted laws [4] [6]. News outlets (AP, Newsweek) provide context on enforcement and recent legislative shifts but rely on those primary trackers for the state‑by‑state legal details [8] [9].
Limitations: available sources do not list the specific 19 states in this excerpted set; they instead reference the count and provide trackers you should consult for state‑by‑state names and any changes after mid‑2025 [1] [4].