Residents who can’t qualify for a driver’s license may be eligible for this program instead.
The Virginia General Assembly passed a new law passed which allows non-U.S. citizens living in Virginia to drive.
The Driver Privilege Card program is for residents who are not U.S. citizens and gives them the opportunity to drive if they don’t meet the standard or REAL ID driver’s license based on “Virginia’s legal presence requirements,” according to the the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles’ news release.
The card costs $50 and residents can start applying for the card starting Jan. 2.
“We are pleased to offer this new credential to give thousands of tax-paying Virginians the opportunity to drive legally on our roadways, something they previously have not been able to do,” said DMV Commissioner Richard D. Holcomb in a prepared statement. “Like applicants for any driving credential, driver privilege card applicants must prepare for their visit by gathering necessary documents and studying for all required testing.”
But there are some requirements. Applicants have to pass a vision test and some people may be required to take a knowledge exam, road skills test depending on their driving history or other tests too. See the eligibility checklist below:
- Non-U.S. citizen and Virginia resident
- Reported income from Virginia or are claimed as a dependent on a tax return filed in Virginia in the past 12 months
- No previous driving privilege suspended or revoked in Virginia and other states
In addition, the following documents must also be provided to the DMV for the driver privilege card:
- Two proofs of identity such as a foreign passport
- Two proofs of Virginia residency such as a utility bill
- Proof of Social Security number (if issued) or the individual’s taxpayer identification number
- Tax return documentation filed in the past 12 months such as a Virginia Resident Form
“All documents must be originals and are subject to verification, however; printouts of approved online residency documents may be accepted,” according to the news release.
If approved, the first driver privilege card expires on the residents birthday a year later and can then be renewed every two years.
For more information, visit the DMV’s website or watch the video below of frequently asked questions about the new driver’s privilege card in Spanish, courtesy of the DMV and the Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth.
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