Regardless of their immigration status, immigrants in Illinois will soon have the ability to apply for a standard driver’s licenses to be used for identification. The Governor of Illinois, J.B. Pritzker, signed a law phasing out the “Temporary Visitor Driver’s License” (TVDL) currently available for noncitizens in the state. The new law goes into effect on July 1, 2024.

The TVDLs currently available look slightly different than the standard Illinois license. A purple strip is located at the top of the TVDL to identify the status of the individual. Removing the purple banner will decrease stigma, make roads safer, and create a more equitable system, per the Governor. The updated driver’s license includes “Federal Limits Apply” at the top of the license and does not qualify for use when applying for a REAL ID for travel.

Per Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, the current TVDLs are an admission of being undocumented or having a temporary visa. As such, it exposes the individual to possible discrimination or immigration enforcement.

Illinois is one of the first states in the country to offer TVDLs. Supporters believe the program makes streets safer, as individuals must pass the road test and carry liability insurance. There are an estimated 300,000 individuals in Illinois with TVDLs, per the secretary of state’s office.

To qualify for the standard driver’s licenses, the same process applies as is currently used for TVDLs. The individual must have lived in Illinois for over a year and must provide U.S. immigration documentation. If they do not have documentation, a passport or consular card within two years of the expiration date must be shown. This process ensures noncitizens are not added to the voter roster, a typical process for Illinois’ automatic voter registration process. Further, the law prohibits sharing driver information with immigration officials who do not have a court-issued warrant, order, or subpoena.

If you have questions about your immigration-related issue, contact us at ILBSG. We work with our clients in their particular situations to ensure they get the right advice.

Illinois Drivers License Noncitizen drivers license