Car Ownership for Undocumented Immigrants and DACA Recipients

Buying a new car? In all states that require car insurance, i.e., 48 states plus Washington, D.C., you’ll need insurance before you can drive your vehicle off the lot. You’ll also need a car registration and license plates.

However, you don’t necessarily need a license to get auto insurance, as we’ll explain below.

Auto insurance for immigrants lacking legal status is more complicated than it is for U.S. citizens, especially if you don’t have a license. However, you can get car insurance without a license through the following methods:

• You list yourself as excluded from your insurance policy, meaning it won’t cover you and you can’t drive the car legally.
• You list someone who is a licensed driver.
• You have a co-owner who is a licensed driver.

Keep in mind that, without a driver’s license, you can’t legally drive in the U.S. This means that if you’re driving without a license, car insurance won’t cover you in the event of an accident or other vehicle-related incidents.

What to Do If You Can’t Afford Insurance

If the problem isn’t your lack of documentation but a lack of funds, some states offer programs to help low-income residents get auto insurance. For example, in California, where car insurance is expensive, the state has a Low Cost Auto Insurance Program that provides liability insurance at low rates for eligible families. To qualify, you must:

• Have a valid California driver’s license
• Have your vehicle’s current registration
• Have an initial deposit for payment
• Have at least one of the following documents based on the state program:
  • CalFresh (food stamps): Electronic benefits transfer (EBT card)
  • CalWORKs (welfare): Notification letter
  • California LifeLine: Utility company LifeLine verification
  • Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP): LIHEAP verification
  • Medi-Cal/Medicaid: Medi-Cal card
  • California Employment Development Department (EDD): Benefit letter or EDD debit card
  • SSI (blind, disabled or aged): SSI verification
  • Social Security or pension: Pension or Social Security letter
• Have proof of income level based on at least one of the following:
  • State or federal income tax return
  • 1099 form
  • W-2 form
  • Payroll stub
• Be at least 16 years of age (however, people under 18 must be legally emancipated)
• Have a good driving record or be a new driver, such as a teen driver
• Own a vehicle with a maximum value of $25,000
• Meet the income requirements listed below¹

As of August 2024, California, Hawaii, Maryland and New Jersey are the only states that offer programs for low-income drivers who may not be able to afford auto insurance. If you live elsewhere, you can find cheap auto insurance by shopping around and purchasing the minimum liability coverage.

If you’re an immigrant lacking legal status, you can get a driver’s license in 18 states and Washington, D.C.² Check below to see whether or not you’ll be able to get a license without legal status, in your state (including Washington, D.C.).

What to Do in All Other States

If you live in a state that doesn’t allow immigrants lacking legal status to get driver’s licenses, you can get one through DACA in every state except Arizona and Nebraska.³

What Is DACA?

DACA is the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, which protects eligible immigrants lacking legal status who came to the U.S. when they were children from being deported for a two-year period. It also provides these immigrants with work authorization.

Who Is Eligible?

The criteria for DACA eligibility are as follows.

• Age: You must have been under the age of 31 on June 15, 2012.
• When you came to the U.S.: You must have arrived in the U.S. before you turned 16.
• How long you’ve lived in the U.S.: You must have lived in the U.S. from June 15, 2007, to the present day.
• Your current location: You must be in the U.S. at the time you request deferred action.
• Your lawful status: You must not have been a legal immigrant on June 15, 2012, or someone whose immigration status has expired.
• Education or military service: You must either be in school currently, have graduated or completed high school or received your GED, or be an honorably discharged veteran of the Coast Guard or Armed Forces.
• Criminal history: You must not have any past convictions of a felony, significant misdemeanor, or three or more misdemeanors. You must also not pose a public safety or national security threat.⁴

If all goes well, you can join the 92 percent of Americans who own cars⁵ as a DACA recipient or immigrant lacking legal status. If you’re unable to get a license or insurance, consider using other forms of transportation, like ridesharing and public transit. Learn more about car ownership for immigrants without legal status below.