Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition > Our Work > SB-251 Driver’s Licenses

SB-251 Driver’s Licenses

The Colorado Road and Community Safety Act (CO-RCSA), otherwise known as SB-251 or driver’s licenses for all, provides drivers licenses to all Colorado residents, regardless of immigration status. The SB-251 program operates in 11 DMV offices throughout the state of Colorado, and has successfully provided documents to nearly 150,000 Coloradans as of 2020. To make an appointment, call 303-205-2335 or visit the DMV website.

Will my license look different from non SB-251 licenses?

On the front, to distinguish it from a Real ID license, your license will say, “Not valid for federal identification, voting or public benefit purposes.” Note: it is not only undocumented immigrants who receive a license with this message. Immigrants with temporary lawful presence, such as DACA and TPS, also receive an identical SB251 license.

How can I use my license?

You can use your SB-251 license to drive and to identify yourself to police officers, for example in a traffic stop and as a state-issued ID. As of October 2021, you will not be able to use your SB-252 license to board an airplane. It does not make you eligible for any public benefits that you aren’t eligible for before getting a driver’s license, and does not authorize you to work or give you the right to vote.

What if I have traffic tickets that I haven’t paid?

Please take care of them before applying for an SB-251 license. You can check your driving record at any DMV with a photo ID or request your record online here if you have previously been issued a Colorado license. Or, if you are from Mexico, contact the Mexican Consulate for assistance on clearing your traffic tickets.

What if I have a prior deportation, criminal history, or a history of use of fraudulent documents?

We advise that you consult with an attorney before applying for a license. ICE has access to DMV information when it is related to an active criminal investigation or possible crime in progress. Visit InformatedImmigrant.comfor more information.

STATE BACKGROUND

Up until 1998, all immigrants had access to a driver’s license in Colorado, irrespective of their immigration status. When law and policy changed to block undocumented Coloradans from accessing a license, many had to drive without one, leading to tickets, vehicle impoundment, arrests, and thousands of deportations. In 2001, a group of undocumented immigrants organized to fight for driver’s licenses for their community, finally succeeding when SB-251 passed in 2013. Since then, we’ve worked to pass six more bills making the program more effective and accessible to all.

NATIONAL BACKGROUND

More and more states are recognizing that our roads and our communities are safer when everyone has access to a driver’s license. Currently, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Utah, Vermont, Washington, and Washington, D.C. all allow undocumented immigrants to receive a license, so that no one has to fear being arrested just for going to work or dropping a child off at school.The next step in creating a fair driver’s license program for all is ensuring that ICE can’t exploit the information that immigrants trust the DMV with when they apply for a license. Pledge your support for our Data Privacy for All Campaign here!