Muslim group reacts after dmv worker allegedly refuses to validate palestinian license

BALTIMORE, MD—The Maryland office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) has formally requested that the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) investigate an incident at its Beltsville branch where an employee reportedly refused to authenticate a valid foreign driver’s license issued by the Palestinian Authority.

This refusal prevented the customer from acquiring a Maryland driver’s license.

On March 22, 2024, the customer visited the Beltsville MVA intending to transfer her Palestinian driver’s license by taking the required knowledge and driving tests. However, an MVA representative identified as Mr. Caesar examined her documents and stated that her license “could not be verified,” despite the MVA’s own website listing the occupied Palestinian territories as a valid issuing authority.

CAIR’s letter to the MVA highlighted the inconsistency, pointing out that the federal government, through USCIS, had already recognized the customer’s documentation as authentic when issuing her immigration papers. The organization argued that the state agency should align with federal standards in recognizing and authenticating foreign documents.

The additional requirements imposed on the customer—completing a knowledge test, driving test, and obtaining a driving school certification—represent an undue financial burden, especially considering she had already fulfilled obligations for transferring a foreign license, including completing a Drug and Alcohol course.

CAIR has urged the MVA to rectify the situation and follow established federal guidelines to avoid discrepancies that could negatively impact other foreign nationals seeking to convert their driver’s licenses in Maryland.

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