Latino Caucus Applauds New Resources for Undocumented Drivers Seeking Licenses
SACRAMENTO – Today, Senator Ricardo Lara (D-Huntington Park/Long Beach) and Assemblymember Luis Alejo (D-Salinas) chair and vice chair of the California Latino Legislative Caucus, applauded the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) for launching English and Spanish websites with new resources for undocumented drivers seeking licenses as a result of AB 60. Thanks to the new law, the DMV is scheduled to begin issuing drivers licenses by January 1, 2015 to undocumented individuals who pass the California Driving Exam and meet other criteria.
“It is critical that Californians seeking to obtain driver’s licenses for the first time have access to resources as early as possible to ensure that they are adequately prepared,” said Senator Ricardo Lara. “I applaud the DMV for taking the proactive step of launching these websites.”
Added Assemblymember Alejo, author of AB 60, “These new websites will serve as hubs of information in both English and Spanish. I urge all residents to take advantage of these resources and spread the word to help prepare members of their communities who would benefit from this new law.”
It is believed that roughly 1.4 million people, many of whom currently drive without a California license, will sign-up to take both the written and behind-the-wheel driver’s exam. Once properly licensed, these drivers will also be able to buy insurance, as required by law.
Passed in 2013, AB 60 gave the state’s DMV one year to draft new regulations and prepare its field offices to process new applications. The DMV expects to open four new field offices to help process the expected wave of new driver license applicants.
While the DMV continues to work through the regulatory process, they are encouraging future license applicants to study for their written exam. Applicants should first read the California Driver Handbook, which is available for free download in ten languages (linked below), as well as at DMV field offices throughout the state (office locator map).
2014 California Driver Handbook (English) (MP3-Audio)
After studying the handbook, applicants should practice with these interactive sample exams.
Once the new law is implemented, applicants should make an appointment with a DMV field office to take the written test. Once passed, applicants can also make an appointment for a behind-the-wheel driving test.
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CONTACT: Jesse Melgar / (916) 651-4033 / Jesse.Melgar@sen.ca.gov