Undocumented immigrants in Rhode Island can now apply for their driver’s license.
The people eligible to obtain the new ‘Driver Privilege Cards’ or ‘Driving Privilege Cards’ in Rhode Island were achieved through legislation that was approved last year and went into effect on Saturday, according to WJAR.
Applications officially opened Monday for undocumented immigrants to begin the process of obtaining a license.
The undocumented person must prove their identity, residence and tax return in order to apply for a driving permit or privilege card.
The cards will not be considered valid identification cards, but they may help you obtain insurance.
Supporters of the bill last year said this would provide some small relief for undocumented people getting to and from work.
“These driver’s licenses will really allow us to be safer and hopefully know that if we were to have an accident with someone who is undocumented, which we would never know, this person has insurance,” said Rep. Karen Alzante.
Rhode Island joins 17 other states with similar laws, including Massachusetts, whose application process began Saturday.
