Surge In New Driver’s Licenses

Sacramento, CA — California issued 759,000 driver’s licenses during the first six months of 2015, and 397,000 were to immigrants in the country illegally.

The DMV only issued 435,000 licenses during the first six months of 2014. A new law took effect on January 1st allowing people to apply for a license, regardless of their immigration status. Proponents argued that it would increase public safety because applicants would need to pass required testing. Opponents argued that it sets a bad precedent of rewarding immigrants in the country illegally with driving privileges.

In the first couple months after the law was implemented there were notably longer lines at many of the state’s DMV offices, notably in the more urban areas. The DMV is projecting that around a million more immigrants will apply for a license within the next few years.