Massachusetts Sees ‘Massive Spike’ Since Immigrant License Law

The new Massachusetts Work and Family Mobility Act appears to be popular with immigrants, legal and otherwise, since taking effect on July 1, 2023.

As a result of the law, immigrants living in Massachusetts can apply for a driver's license regardless of their immigration status.

Passage of the Work and Family Mobility Act followed decades of advocacy and setbacks on Beacon Hill. Former Gov. Charlie Baker vetoed it but was overridden by lawmakers. Massachusetts voters approved the law in a ballot referendum in November 2022.

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The Work and Family Mobility Act allows undocumented residents to obtain a Standard Class D license to drive a passenger vehicle, van or small truck. A Class M license permits the operation of a motorcycle.

The licenses are valid for five years.

Candidates for the new immigrant driver's license must be over 16, pass a learner's permit written exam ($30), pass a road test ($35), and provide documentation proving state residency and identity. The license fee is $50.

The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles cannot share immigrant information with immigration authorities. Information provided to the RMV by immigrant applicants is not public information.

According to the Boston Herald, "The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles reported a massive spike in demand" during the first six months after the immigrant driver's license law was enacted.

The paper says the RMV "issued 91,961 new learner's permits and 54,952 new, first-time driver's licenses to Massachusetts residents" during the first six months of the new law.

That's a 244 percent increase in new learner's permits and a 120 percent increase in new driver's licenses issued over the same period in 2022.