What Changed for California Driver's Licenses in 2020
California made two major changes to driver's licenses in 2020. The state began issuing REAL ID-compliant licenses as the default, and it expanded the AB 60 program to allow people without Social Security numbers to obtain a license. Both changes affected how you applied, what documents you needed, and what your license looked like when you received it.
The REAL ID change was driven by federal law. Starting in 2020, California licenses marked as REAL ID-compliant carried a gold star in the upper right corner and could be used for domestic air travel and entry to federal buildings. Licenses without the star — called standard licenses — could not. Most people who renewed or replaced their license in 2020 received a REAL ID license automatically, unless they specifically requested a standard license instead.
The AB 60 expansion happened in January 2020. Previously, only certain immigrants without legal status could get a California license. The new law opened the program to anyone, regardless of immigration status, as long as they could prove identity and California residency. This meant that by mid-2020, you no longer needed a Social Security number or proof of legal presence to hold a valid California driver's license.
Key Takeaways
- California began issuing REAL ID-compliant licenses as the standard in 2020, marked with a gold star and usable for federal purposes like domestic air travel.
- AB 60 expanded in January 2020 to allow anyone without a Social Security number or legal immigration status to obtain a California driver's license.
- REAL ID licenses required the same documents as standard licenses but had to be requested or renewed in person at the DMV.
- You could still request a standard (non-REAL ID) license if you did not want the federal-compliant version, though this required an explicit choice.
- The document requirements for both REAL ID and AB 60 licenses differed from older renewal processes, particularly around proof of identity and residency.
REAL ID Compliance and the Gold Star
The gold star on a REAL ID license signaled that California had verified your identity against federal standards. The Department of Homeland Security set those standards, and California's DMV had to confirm your birth certificate, Social Security number, and proof of California residency before issuing the card.
In 2020, the federal government was enforcing a important date for REAL ID compliance. By October 1, 2020, you needed either a REAL ID license or a passport to board a domestic flight or enter a federal building. California had been issuing REAL ID licenses since 2018, but in 2020 the state made them the default for most renewals and replacements. If you went to the DMV to renew your license in 2020, you received a REAL ID license unless you specifically asked for a standard license instead.
The documents required for a REAL ID license in 2020 included proof of identity (a passport, birth certificate, or consular report of birth), proof of Social Security number, and two proofs of California residency (such as a utility bill, lease, or bank statement). You had to appear in person at a DMV office to complete the transaction. You could not renew a REAL ID license by mail.
AB 60: Licenses Without a Social Security Number
Assembly Bill 60, which expanded on January 1, 2020, created a separate pathway for people who could not provide a Social Security number. This included undocumented immigrants, visa holders, and others without SSN access. The program had existed before 2020 but was limited to certain groups; the 2020 expansion opened it to anyone.
To get an AB 60 license in 2020, you needed to prove your identity and California residency, but not your Social Security number or immigration status. Acceptable identity documents included a foreign passport, a consular ID card, a birth certificate, or a visa. For residency, the DMV accepted the same documents as for REAL ID licenses — utility bills, leases, bank statements, and similar records.
AB 60 licenses did not carry the REAL ID gold star and could not be used for federal purposes like domestic air travel or entry to federal buildings. However, they were valid for driving in California and for state purposes like opening a bank account or obtaining a library card. The license itself looked identical to a standard (non-REAL ID) California license.
Document Requirements and What You Needed to Bring
The documents you needed in 2020 depended on which type of license you were seeking. For a REAL ID license, you needed one document proving identity, one proving your Social Security number, and two proving California residency. For an AB 60 license, you needed one identity document and two residency documents, but no Social Security verification.
| License Type | Identity Document | Social Security Proof | Residency Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| REAL ID | Passport, birth certificate, or consular report | Social Security card or tax return | Two documents (utility bill, lease, bank statement) |
| Standard or AB 60 | Passport, birth certificate, consular ID, or visa | Not required | Two documents (utility bill, lease, bank statement) |
In 2020, the DMV began requiring original documents or certified copies for most transactions. Photocopies were no longer accepted for identity or residency proof. If you were renewing by mail (which was only possible for standard licenses, not REAL ID), you had to include certified copies of your documents.
How to Renew or Replace Your License in 2020
If you were renewing your California license in 2020, the process depended on whether you wanted a REAL ID license or a standard license. REAL ID renewals had to be done in person at a DMV office. You could not renew a REAL ID license online or by mail, even if your previous license was a REAL ID license.
Standard licenses and AB 60 licenses could be renewed by mail if your license was not expiring and you had no changes to your address or name. However, if you wanted to switch from a standard license to a REAL ID license, you had to go to the DMV in person. The same was true if you wanted to switch from an AB 60 license to a REAL ID license — you would need to provide a Social Security number and appear in person.
If you needed to replace a lost or damaged license in 2020, you also had to appear in person. The DMV would issue you a replacement with the same REAL ID or standard status as your previous license, unless you requested a change.
Timeline and important date in 2020
The October 1, 2020 REAL ID important date was the most significant date for California drivers that year. After that date, a standard (non-REAL ID) license was not acceptable for domestic air travel or federal building entry. However, this important date did not mean your standard license became invalid for driving — it remained valid for that purpose indefinitely.
In practice, many people waited until close to the important date to renew, which created long lines at DMV offices in September and early October 2020. If you needed a REAL ID license by October 1, the DMV recommended visiting early in the month or scheduling an appointment in advance. Processing times for in-person renewals were typically one to two weeks in 2020, though they varied by location and demand.
AB 60 licenses had no federal important date. You could obtain one at any time, and there was no expiration date for the program itself in 2020. However, the license itself expired after five or ten years, depending on your age, just like any other California driver's license.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did I automatically get a REAL ID license if I renewed in 2020?
Yes, unless you specifically requested a standard license instead. When you renewed your California license in 2020, the DMV issued a REAL ID license by default if you provided the required documents and appeared in person. If you did not want the REAL ID version, you had to tell the DMV clerk before completing your transaction.
Could I get an AB 60 license if I had a valid visa?
Yes. AB 60 was open to anyone without a Social Security number, including visa holders. You needed to prove your identity with your visa or passport and provide two proofs of California residency. Immigration status did not matter for AB 60 licenses.
What happened if I did not get a REAL ID license before October 1, 2020?
Your standard license remained valid for driving in California. However, after October 1, 2020, you could not use it for domestic air travel or entry to federal buildings — you would need a passport or other federal ID instead. You could still renew your standard license or switch to a REAL ID license at any time after the important date.
Could I renew my REAL ID license by mail in 2020?
No. REAL ID licenses had to be renewed in person at a DMV office. You could not renew them online or by mail, even if your previous license was a REAL ID license. Standard licenses could be renewed by mail under certain conditions, but REAL ID licenses could not.
Did an AB 60 license expire sooner than a REAL ID license?
No. Both AB 60 licenses and standard licenses had the same expiration dates as REAL ID licenses — five years for drivers under 62, and ten years for drivers 62 and older. The type of license did not affect how long it remained valid.