Colorado Simplifies Process For Undocumented Immigrants To Obtain A Driver's License Without SSN | Carscoops

      The state is eliminating the requirement for drivers to present a valid social security number in hopes that more undocumented immigrants will take the driving test.

      Colorado is reducing the barriers for drivers seeking a license.

      Undocumented immigrants will no longer need a Social Security Number or a tax return.

      The state aims to encourage more immigrants to take the driving test, thereby enhancing road safety.

      While President Trump and his administration seek to remove millions of undocumented immigrants from the US, Colorado lawmakers, located 1,700 miles west of Washington, are extending a supportive gesture. They are simplifying the process for immigrants to drive legally on public roads.

      Starting at the end of this month, undocumented immigrants will have an easier time obtaining a driver’s license in the state. A safety-oriented bill that Governor Jared Polis approved last summer, which goes into effect on March 31, eliminates the requirement for a valid social security number for those applying for a license.

      Additionally, applicants no longer need to have filed a Colorado income tax return or provide proof of residency for two years. Instead, immigrants can sign an affidavit affirming their residency in the state and only need to present a passport, military ID, or other identification from their home country.

      Colorado's legislators believe that by allowing more immigrants to drive legally, road safety will improve. Due to the challenges in obtaining a license until now, many undocumented immigrants have been driving without one, and often without insurance.

      According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) data reported by CBS News, nearly 40 percent of fatal crashes in Colorado in 2024 involved drivers without a valid license.

      By simplifying the application process for licenses, the state hopes that many more immigrants will opt to take a driving test, which will better prepare them for the public roads and decrease the likelihood of accidents. However, unlike standard driver’s licenses, these permits do not permit legal driving in other states.

      There still remain other obstacles that may prevent immigrants from obtaining licenses, including financial constraints and potential language barriers. However, as highlighted in a 9News video report, there are dual-language driving schools available to help address the language issue.

      Colorado is not the only state permitting undocumented immigrants to apply for a license; eighteen other states already have simplified application procedures in place.

      Image credit: State of Colorado/Carscoops