An estimated 450,000 undocumented illegal immigrants can now apply for a driver’s license in the state of New Jersey. New Jersey has always allowed for legally present foreigners to apply for a license, but as of May 1st, thanks to Governor Phil Murphy the majority of the state’s undocumented aliens can now share the roads with the rest of the state.
New Jersey is just the 14th state to allow illegal immigrants the privilege to drive.
The rush of new applicants is expected to cause more delays to an already overwhelmed Motor Vehicle Commission. Four of the state’s offices remain closed and service is now by appointment only. Undocumented residents must still pass the state’s six-point document verification system, the MVC says.
They must also pass a written and vision test and undergo three months supervised driving before being allowed to take the driving test, much like the probationary period of a 17-year-old legal citizen.
In order to accommodate the anticipated rush, the Motor Vehicle Commission has made more of its online and print resources available in Spanish.
One the illegal immigrants pass their driving test, they are issued the same driver’s license as everyone else. There is no distinction and no identifying factors regarding their illegal immigration status.