Measure seeks to eliminate dual licensing system, reintroduce federal legal presence requirement, and roll back multilingual mandates at MVC offices.
TRENTON, NJ – A newly introduced proposal in the New Jersey Assembly would repeal the 2019 law that allowed certain undocumented residents to obtain standard driver’s licenses and identification cards. Sponsored by Assemblyman Gregory Myhre (R-9), Assembly Bill 4468 would eliminate the two-tier license system created by P.L.2019, c.271, restore federal legal presence requirements for all applicants, and remove language-access obligations at Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) agencies.
Key Points
- The bill repeals the 2019 law authorizing standard (non-REAL ID) licenses for residents without lawful immigration status.
- It reinstates proof of lawful U.S. presence as a condition for obtaining a license, permit, or ID card.
- The measure rolls back multilingual testing, document confidentiality, and translation service mandates at MVC locations.
Reversing the 2019 “standard license” law
The proposal would repeal the 2019 statute that created two classes of credentials — REAL ID-compliant licenses and standard licenses available to residents who could not prove lawful presence. That law, signed by Gov. Phil Murphy, was aimed at expanding driving privileges regardless of immigration status.
Under A4468, the MVC would again be prohibited from issuing any license or identification card to an individual who cannot demonstrate legal authorization to be in the United States. It would also delete confidentiality clauses that had restricted the MVC from sharing personal data with federal immigration authorities without a warrant or court order.
Removal of multilingual and translation requirements
The bill also eliminates provisions that required the MVC to offer the written driver’s exam and the New Jersey driver’s manual in the three most commonly spoken languages other than English. It further removes the mandate that agencies provide on-site language translation services.
Supporters of the repeal argue that restoring uniform licensing standards will improve security and compliance with federal law. Opponents have said the rollback would affect tens of thousands of New Jersey residents who obtained standard driver’s licenses under the 2019 policy.
Additional structural changes
Assembly Bill 4468 would also remove the MVC’s authority to maintain the point-based identity verification system used to validate documents and would end certain fee increases and operational changes authorized by the earlier law.
If enacted, the measure would take effect immediately, rescinding the 2019 statute in full and amending related sections of the motor vehicle code to reflect a single, federally compliant licensing framework.
