Guide · Updated November 2026

AB 60 Driver License in California: How to Apply

California’s AB 60 law lets people who cannot prove legal presence in the U.S. get a California driver license. It is a real license: you can drive legally, insure your car and register it. Here is what documents the DMV accepts, how the process works, and what to do once you have it.

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Insurance With AB 60

By the Macias Insurance team · We insure AB 60 drivers every day in Modesto

Quick Answer

What you need

In short

You need proof of identity and proof of California residency, and you must pass the vision test, the knowledge test and the driving test. You do not need a Social Security number. For many Mexican nationals, one document covers identity: the INE voter card, a Mexican passport or the matrícula consular, in the versions the DMV accepts.

Documents

Identity documents the DMV accepts

Option 1: one document (DMV Table A)

Mexican INE voter card (Credencial para Votar, 2014 version).
Mexican IFE voter card (2013 version).
Mexican passport issued in 2008 or later with a digital photo and digital signature.
Matrícula Consular (2014 or 2022 version).
A California driver license or ID card issued in or after October 2000.
A DMV-approved valid foreign passport, together with an electronically verifiable Social Security number.

Option 2: two documents (Table B)

Certain DMV-approved foreign identity documents are accepted in combination. Foreign passports are also an option here for applicants without a verifiable Social Security number.

Option 3: secondary review (Table C)

If you do not have Table A or B documents, bring as many as you can, such as a foreign passport, consular ID, foreign national ID, foreign driver license or birth certificate, and the DMV reviews them in a secondary review.

Check your document version

The DMV accepts specific versions of each document (for example, the 2014 INE or the 2014 or 2022 matrícula). Before your appointment, confirm yours is on the DMV’s current list.

Residency

Proof you live in California

You need one document showing your first and last name and your California address. The residence address must match the mailing address on your application, with some exceptions. Examples the DMV accepts:

Home utility bills, including cell phone bills.
A rental or lease agreement signed by the owner or landlord and the tenant.
Court documents showing your California address.
Letters from certain shelters, nonprofits, employers or government agencies.

Step by Step

How to get your AB 60 license

Step 1. Start the application

Begin the driver license application with the DMV and book an office appointment. You do not need a Social Security number to apply under AB 60.

Step 2. Study for the knowledge test

The test covers California traffic laws from the California Driver Handbook. The handbook and the knowledge test are available in Spanish and other languages.

Step 3. Bring your documents to the appointment

Bring original identity and residency documents. The DMV takes your thumbprint and photo, and you pay the application fee.

Step 4. Pass the vision and knowledge tests

Once you pass, you receive an instruction permit so you can practice with a licensed driver.

Step 5. Take the driving test

When you are ready, schedule the behind-the-wheel test. After you pass, you get a temporary license and the card arrives by mail.

Good to Know

What an AB 60 license can and cannot do

It can: let you drive legally in California, buy car insurance, register a vehicle, and serve as ID for many local purposes.
It cannot: be used for federal purposes, such as boarding domestic flights, or as proof of work authorization.
Protection: California law prohibits discrimination against someone because they hold an AB 60 license.

Next step: insure your car

With an AB 60 license, you can have insurance in your own name, and many carriers rate you the same as any other driver. We quote 30+ carriers in English or Spanish and can give you proof of insurance the same day. See car insurance with an AB 60 license and our California minimum insurance guide.

Common Questions

AB 60 license questions

What documents do I need for an AB 60 license?

Proof of identity and proof of California residency. For identity, the DMV accepts single documents such as the 2014 INE voter card, the 2013 IFE card, a Mexican passport issued in 2008 or later, or the 2014 or 2022 matrícula consular. Two-document and secondary-review options also exist.

Do I need a Social Security number for an AB 60 license?

No. You can apply for an AB 60 license without a Social Security number.

Can I take the DMV test in Spanish?

Yes. The California Driver Handbook is available in Spanish and the knowledge test can be taken in Spanish.

Can I insure and register a car with an AB 60 license?

Yes. An AB 60 license lets you buy car insurance and register a vehicle in California. Macias Insurance quotes 30+ carriers and also handles registration paperwork.

Can I use an AB 60 license to fly?

No. AB 60 licenses cannot be used for federal purposes, such as boarding domestic flights.

Accepted documents come from the California DMV’s AB 60 guide and can change. Confirm the current list with the DMV before your appointment. This is general information, not legal or immigration advice.

Have your AB 60 license? Get insured today.

30+ carriers, help in English or Spanish, and same-day proof of insurance at either office.