On December 19, 2019, Governor Phill Murphy signed a new law that allows undocumented immigrants to obtain their New Jersey Driver’s Licenses. Unfortunately, due to the reduction in staff and logistical issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (NJMVC) was unable to implement this policy by the January 1, 2021 deadline as originally intended. The law is now expected to be implemented by Spring of 2021.
Until the law is implemented, individuals who are not United States citizens and live in New Jersey must fall within specific categories to qualify for a New Jersey Driver’s License. The categories listed on the NJMVC website include:
- Lawful permanent residents
- Treaty traders
- Students and their families
- Temporary workers, accompanying spouses and children
- Foreign information representatives and their families
- Exchange visitors and their families
- Intra-company transfers, accompanying spouses and minor children
- Canadians with temporary residence
- Religious ministers and spouses
- Parents of U.S. citizens
- International athletes or entertainment groups
- Persons in a reciprocal exchange program
- Persons with temporary protection from deportation, including Temporary Protected Status (TPS), Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), Asylum, Cancellation of Removal, etc.
If you live in the State of New Jersey and are unsure of whether you qualify for a driver’s license due to your immigration status, contact Tourzani Law Group, LLC at (201) 987-0036 to schedule a consultation to find out.