ITIN and Driver's License: Which States Accept an ITIN?

Written by

itin.so Editorial Team

IRS-Authorized Certifying Acceptance Agents · Updated August 2026

State licensing law changes. Verify current requirements with your state DMV before you apply — this page is a starting point, not legal advice.

ITIN holders can get a driver's license in 19 US states and the District of Columbia. These states passed laws allowing driver's licenses regardless of immigration status. You typically need your ITIN (or an affidavit that you have no SSN), a passport or consular ID, and proof that you live in the state. The licence is usually marked “Not for Federal Purposes” — it cannot be used for TSA screening or to enter federal buildings, but it is fully valid for driving and for state-level identification.

Quick answer

Your state decides, not the IRS. In 19 states plus DC, an ITIN substitutes for the SSN on a licence application. In the other 31, no ITIN will help — those states require lawful immigration status. Check your state in the table below before gathering documents.

States That Issue Driver's Licenses to ITIN Holders

The ten largest of the 19 states, with the law that opened licensing and what each DMV asks for.

State	Law	ITIN Accepted?	License Type	Key Requirements
California	AB 60	Yes	Standard (marked)	Passport plus 2 proofs of CA residency
New York	Green Light Law	Yes	Standard (marked)	Passport plus proof of NY residency
Illinois	HB 3882 (2024)	Yes	Standard non-REAL ID (replaced the TVDL)	Passport plus 2 proofs of IL residency
Washington	—	Yes	Standard	Passport plus proof of WA residency
New Jersey	—	Yes	Standard (marked)	Passport plus 6 points of ID
Colorado	SB 13-251	Yes	Standard (marked)	Passport plus proof of CO residency
Connecticut	Drive Only Law	Yes	Drive Only licence	Passport plus proof of CT residency
Oregon	HB 2015	Yes	Standard	Passport plus proof of OR residency
Maryland	SB 715	Yes	Standard (marked)	Passport plus proof of MD residency; 2 years of MD tax filings may be requested
Nevada	SB 303	Yes	Driver Authorization Card	Passport plus proof of NV residency

The other nine are Delaware, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Mexico, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, and Virginia, plus the District of Columbia. Maryland is the one to watch if you are new to the country: it is among the states that may ask for two years of state tax filings, which is a reason to get your ITIN tax filing history started early.

What “Not for Federal Purposes” Actually Means

The REAL ID Act sets federal standards for identity documents, and one of those standards is proof of lawful immigration status. Licences issued without that proof cannot be REAL ID compliant, so states print a marking on them — the exact wording varies: “Not for Federal Purposes”, “Federal Limits Apply”, or “Not Acceptable for Official Federal Purposes”.

The licence works for	The licence does not work for
Driving legally anywhere in the US	TSA airport screening
Getting car insurance	Entering federal buildings
Identification at a bank branch	Boarding domestic flights
Everyday private-sector ID checks	Proving immigration status to any federal agency

For domestic flights, carry your passport. A valid foreign passport is accepted by TSA and covers everything the marked licence cannot.

What Documents Does the DMV Ask For?

Requirements vary state by state, but nearly every inclusive licensing law is built around the same four categories.

Proof of identity.A valid unexpired foreign passport is the strongest option. Some states accept a consular ID such as a matrícula consular, a foreign birth certificate, or a foreign driver's licence.
Proof of state residency.Usually two documents — a lease, utility bills, bank statements, or school records — showing your name and a current in-state address.
An ITIN or an SSN affidavit. Your ITIN goes in the tax-identifier field. If you do not have one, most of these states accept a sworn statement that no SSN has been issued to you.
The standard licensing tests. Written knowledge test, vision test, and road test, exactly as for any other applicant, plus the state fee.

If you do not have an ITIN yet and want one before you visit the DMV, the ITIN application process takes several weeks — start it well ahead of your appointment.

Why the Licence Matters Beyond Driving

A state driver's license is the most widely recognised piece of everyday US identification, and getting one tends to unlock several things at once for ITIN holders.

Banking. A licence is accepted as photo ID at most branches. See banks that accept an ITIN.
Auto financing. Lenders verify identity and insurers require a licensed driver, so the licence is effectively a prerequisite for an ITIN car loan.
Employment paperwork and housing. Landlords and employers routinely ask for photo ID as part of routine verification.
Everyday life. Collecting parcels, notarising documents, age verification, and hundreds of small interactions that assume a US photo ID.

For people navigating this alongside an immigration case, our guides for immigrants and asylum seekers cover how the ITIN fits into the wider picture.

ITIN Driver's Licenses at a Glance

19 US states and DC issue driver's licenses regardless of immigration status
Major states: California (AB 60), New York (Green Light Law), Illinois (HB 3882), Washington, New Jersey, Colorado, Connecticut, Oregon, Maryland, Nevada
Also: Delaware, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Mexico, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, Virginia
Typical requirements: passport or consular ID, 2 proofs of state residency, ITIN or an SSN affidavit
Licences are marked “Not for Federal Purposes” — valid for driving, not valid for TSA screening
An ITIN is not legally required for a licence in any state, but it satisfies the tax-identifier field without an affidavit
Illinois replaced its Temporary Visitor Driver's License with a standard non-REAL ID licence in July 2024

ITIN and Driver's License: Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a driver's license with an ITIN?

Yes, in 19 states and the District of Columbia. These jurisdictions have passed laws allowing residents to obtain a driver's license regardless of immigration status. In most of them you present an ITIN in place of a Social Security Number, alongside proof of identity such as a passport or consular ID and proof that you live in the state. The remaining states require lawful immigration status or an SSN, so where you live decides whether this is available to you.

Do I need an ITIN to get a driver's license?

Not always. Most of these states accept either an ITIN or a signed affidavit stating that you have not been issued a Social Security Number, and they accept a foreign passport or consular ID as the primary identity document. An ITIN is not a legal prerequisite for a licence in any state. It does make the process smoother, because it gives the DMV a federal identifier to record and it satisfies the SSN field on the application without an affidavit.

Is an ITIN driver's license valid for flying?

Usually no. Licences issued without proof of lawful immigration status cannot be REAL ID compliant, so they carry a marking such as 'Not for Federal Purposes' or 'Federal Limits Apply'. They cannot be used for TSA airport screening, to enter federal buildings, or to board domestic flights. Carry your passport for domestic air travel. The licence is fully valid for driving and for most state-level and private identification purposes.

Can I use my driver's license as ID for opening a bank account?

Generally yes. Most banks accept a state-issued driver's license as a valid form of identification for account opening, including the marked non-REAL ID versions. Banks typically want a primary photo ID plus a second document, so a licence works well as one half of that pair alongside your passport or ITIN assignment letter. Confirm with the specific branch, since document policies are applied locally.

Which states do not issue driver's licenses to ITIN holders?

The 31 states that have not passed inclusive licensing laws generally require proof of lawful immigration status or a Social Security Number to issue any driver's license. This includes most of the South and much of the Midwest and Mountain West. Non-residents visiting these states can usually drive on a valid foreign licence, often paired with an International Driving Permit, but cannot obtain a state licence without qualifying status.

Does a driver's license help me get a car loan with an ITIN?

Yes, and in practice it is close to required. Auto lenders verify identity before financing, and insurers need a licensed driver before issuing the policy that lenders require as a condition of the loan. If you plan to finance a vehicle with your ITIN, sort out the licence first — it is the step that unblocks both the insurance and the loan.

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