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Home Page >> Publications >> Driver License Brochures >> Fast Facts DL 32 Limited Term for Legal Presence - Driver License and Identification Card Applications

Limited Term for Legal Presence - Driver License and Identification Card Applications

What is Legal Presence?

DMV is permitted to issue a driver license (DL) or an identification card (ID) to persons who are in the United States legally. There are many ways to be legally present in the United States. One way is to be born here. Another way is to enter the United States and present a valid travel document or passport at a port-of-entry location. In all cases, a paper document with your name and birth date has been issued to you and proves your legal presence in the United States. For noncitizens and non-immigrants, this document also states how long you may legally be present in the United States. It is this document that must be presented at a DMV office when you apply for your first DL/ID card. DMV calls this document your birth date/legal presence (BD/LP) document.

The following information will help explain the BD/LP process.

The application process

DMV will not let you start a DL/ID card application unless you present your social security number (SSN) and your valid BD/LP document. If your BD/LP document indicates you are authorized to work in the United States, you must have an SSN before you apply for your DL/ID card. The name and birth date on your SSN card must match the name and birth date on your BD/LP document. If your BD/LP document indicates you are not authorized to work in the U.S., an SSN is not required to start your application .

You may start your DL/ID card application if you have an SSN and your BD/LP document expires more than 30 days from the day you apply. However, if your BD/LP document expires less than 60 days from the day you apply, DMV will let you take all the tests, but you will not receive your photo DL/ID card until you provide a BD/LP document which is valid for 60 days or more from the day you applied for your DL/ID card.

DMV will mail your photo DL/ID card after all tests and requirements have been met and the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS) section of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has verified your legal presence status.

Your BD/LP document will be verified

When you start your DL/ID card application, DMV electronically verifies your BD/LP document information with the USCIS. If your BD/LP document cannot be verified electronically, DMV makes a photocopy of the document and sends it to USCIS for verification (secondary verification).

If a secondary BD/LP document verification is necessary, DMV will issue you a temporary license after you pass all the required tests. If the verification takes longer than 75 days, DMV will send you a letter telling you what is needed to complete the verification process and how to complete your application.

When will my DL/ID Card expire?

If you are a first-time driver license or identification card applicant and your BD/LP document expires:

  • less than five years from the date you applied for your driver license, (or less than six years for your ID card), your photo DL/ID card will be considered a “limited term (LT) driver license .”
  • more than five years from the date you applied for your driver license (or more than six years for your ID card), your photo DL/ID card will be considered full term.

Driver license or identification card extension:

If your limited term DL/ID card expires and you need an extension, you must provide a BD/LP document that expires sixty or more days from the day you apply.

Definitions

SSA: Social Security Administration—Federal agency responsible for issuing Social Security numbers and SSN cards.

DHS: Department of Homeland Security— works with federal, state, and local governments to coordinate the organization of multiple agencies and programs into a single, integrated agency which is focused on protecting the American people and their homeland.

USCIS: United States Citizen and Immigration Services—issues immigration and citizenship. For information regarding these services, contact the USCIS National Customer Service Center at 1-800-375-5283.

Helpful Websites

DMV: www.dmv.ca.gov
DMV in Spanish: www.es.dmv.ca.gov
SSA: www.ssa.gov
USCIS: www.uscis.gov
DHS: www.DHS.gov


FFDL 32 (REV. 8/2008)