RICHMOND, Va. -- Undocumented immigrants can now apply for a driver privilege card at the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles.
The driver privilege card creates a driving credential for individuals who are non-U.S. citizens and cannot meet Virginia’s legal presence requirements, making them ineligible to receive a standard driver’s license in Virginia.
A new law removing the proof of citizenship and legal presence requirements when obtaining a driver’s privilege card or ID was passed by the Virginia General Assembly and signed by Governor Ralph Northam in 2020.
Customers may be eligible to obtain a driver privilege card if they meet the following criteria:
· are a non-U.S. citizen who is a resident of Virginia
· have reported income from Virginia sources or are claimed as a dependent on a tax return filed in Virginia in the past 12 months
· do not have a driving privilege that is currently suspended or revoked in Virginia or any other state, to include insurance-related infractions
In order to obtain a driver privilege card in Virginia, the following documents must be provided:
· Two proofs of identity (e.g., foreign passport and Consular identification document issued by country of citizenship)
· Two proofs of Virginia residency (e.g., monthly mortgage statement and utility bill)
· Proof of Social Security number (if one has been issued) or the individual’s taxpayer identification number (e.g., W-2 form or ITIN letter)
· Tax return documentation (e.g. Virginia Resident Form, Virginia Part-Year Resident Income Tax Return Form or Virginia Nonresident Income Tax Return Form, filed in the past 12 months)
Applications will be accepted by appointment only. Appointments can be made here.
