What an AB 60 driver license is and who can get one

An AB 60 driver license is a California state ID that lets you drive legally without proving citizenship or immigration status. It works the same way as a standard California license — you can use it to operate a vehicle, and police will accept it as valid identification during a traffic stop. The difference is in what you do not have to show to get it.

You can get an AB 60 license if you live in California and can pass a written test and a driving test, regardless of whether you have a Social Security number, a valid visa, or legal residency status. You do need to prove your identity and California residency, but the documents that count are broader than what a standard license requires.

California created this license type in 2015 to let people who could not meet federal identification rules still drive legally. It does not change your immigration status or create any record that affects your legal standing — it is purely a driving permit.

Key Takeaways

  • An AB 60 license lets you drive in California without proving citizenship or legal immigration status, and police treat it as valid identification.
  • You must prove your identity and California residency using documents like a passport, consulate ID, utility bill, or lease — not a Social Security number.
  • You take the same written and driving tests as anyone else, and the license costs the same as a standard California license.
  • The license is valid for five years and can be renewed by mail or in person at a DMV office.

Documents you need to bring to the DMV

The California Department of Motor Vehicles has a specific list of documents that count as proof of identity and proof of residency for an AB 60 license. You need at least one from each category.

For proof of identity, you can use a valid passport (from any country), a consulate ID card, a national ID card, a birth certificate, or a tribal ID. A driver license from another state or country also counts. You do not need a Social Security number or a U.S. birth certificate.

For proof of California residency, bring something dated within the last 60 days that shows your name and a California address. A utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, property tax bill, or bank statement all work. A letter from a government agency, a school enrollment form, or a pay stub with your address also counts. If you do not have a document in your name, you can bring one in someone else's name plus a document showing you live there together — like a lease with both names, or a utility bill plus an affidavit from the person whose name is on it.

Bring your documents in their original form or as certified copies. The DMV will not accept photocopies unless they are certified by the issuing agency.

How to schedule an appointment and what to expect

You cannot walk into a DMV office without an appointment — California requires you to book a time slot ahead of time. Go to the California DMV website, click "Make an Appointment," and select "Driver License or ID Card" as your transaction type. Choose the office closest to you and pick a date and time that works.

When you arrive, bring all your documents, your completed DL 44 form (the driver license process), and payment. The standard fee for a five-year AB 60 license is the same as for a regular California license, though the exact amount changes yearly — check the DMV website for the current price. You can pay by cash, check, debit card, or credit card.

At your appointment, a DMV employee will check your documents, take your photo and fingerprints, and have you sign the process. You will then take a written test covering California traffic laws and road signs. If you pass, you will schedule a behind-the-wheel driving test at a later date. Most people take the written test and driving test at separate appointments.

The written test and driving test

The written test has 36 questions about California traffic laws, right-of-way rules, and safe driving. You need to answer at least 30 correctly to pass. The test is offered in multiple languages, including Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, and others — ask the DMV which languages are available at your location. You can study using the California Driver Handbook, which the DMV provides free online and in print.

If you fail the written test, you can retake it the same day or schedule another appointment. Most people pass on their first or second try if they study the handbook.

The driving test happens in a separate appointment, usually within a few weeks of passing the written test. A DMV examiner sits in your car while you drive a set route through your neighborhood. The test lasts about 20 minutes and covers basic skills like starting the car, turning, parking, and following traffic signs. You must use a car that is registered, insured, and has working brakes, lights, and wipers. The car does not have to be registered in your name, but it must pass a safety inspection first.

If you fail the driving test, you can retake it after waiting at least two weeks. There is no limit to how many times you can try.

How long the process takes and when you get your license

From your first appointment to getting your license in the mail usually takes four to eight weeks, depending on how quickly you schedule your driving test and how soon you pass it. The written test can happen at your first appointment, but the driving test is typically scheduled weeks later because DMV offices have limited testing slots.

After you pass both tests, the DMV mails your physical license to the address you provided. You will receive a temporary paper license at your appointment that you can use to drive while you wait for the card to arrive. The temporary license is valid for 60 days.

If you need to drive before your appointment, you cannot — you must have a valid license or permit to operate a vehicle legally in California. Plan your appointments accordingly if you need to drive for work or other essential reasons.

Renewing your AB 60 license

An AB 60 license is valid for five years from the date it is issued. When it is about to expire, the DMV will mail you a renewal notice. You can renew by mail if your address has not changed and you do not need a new photo. Fill out the renewal form, include payment, and mail it back to the DMV. Renewal by mail usually takes two to three weeks.

If your address has changed, you have a new name, or you want a new photo, you must renew in person at a DMV office. You will need to bring proof of residency again and take a new photo, but you do not have to retake the written or driving tests. Schedule an appointment the same way you did for your original license.

If your license expires and you have not renewed it, you cannot drive legally. Renew it before the expiration date on your card.

What you can and cannot do with an AB 60 license

An AB 60 license is a valid California driver license for all purposes related to driving. You can use it to operate any vehicle you are licensed for, and police will accept it as proof that you are allowed to drive. You can also use it as identification for everyday purposes — showing it to a police officer during a traffic stop, renting a car, or proving your age at a store.

However, an AB 60 license is not a federal ID. You cannot use it to board a domestic airplane, enter a federal building, or cross the U.S. border. If you need to fly within the United States, you will need a passport or another federally recognized ID. The license also does not change your immigration status or create any pathway to legal residency — it is purely a driving permit.

Some private businesses may refuse to accept an AB 60 license as identification for non-driving purposes, though this is rare. If a business asks for ID, you can show your AB 60 license, but they are not required to accept it if they want a federal ID instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does getting an AB 60 license affect my immigration status or create a record that immigration can see?

No. An AB 60 license is a state driving permit and does not change your immigration status. The DMV does not share license information with immigration authorities. Getting a license is a separate transaction from immigration matters.

Can I use an AB 60 license to fly on an airplane?

Not for domestic flights within the United States. You need a passport, a passport card, or a federally recognized ID like a REAL ID driver license. An AB 60 license is not federally recognized. You can use it to drive to the airport, but you cannot use it to board the plane.

What if I do not have a Social Security number?

You do not need one for an AB 60 license. The DMV will assign you an ID number instead. If you have a Social Security number and want to provide it, you can, but it is not required.

Can I get an AB 60 license if I have been in California for less than a month?

You must prove California residency, which usually means a document dated within the last 60 days showing your name and address. If you just moved to California, a lease agreement or utility bill in your name counts as proof. If those are not available yet, ask the DMV what alternative documents they will accept.

What happens if my AB 60 license expires while I am out of state?

You cannot drive legally in California or most other states with an expired license. If you are out of state when your license expires, you can renew by mail before it expires, or you can renew in person at a California DMV office when you return. Plan ahead if you know you will be traveling.