Court Opinions

State Laws

US Code

US Constitution

California Vehicle Code Section 12801.5

Legal Research Home > California Laws > Vehicle Code > California Vehicle Code Section 12801.5

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the
department shall require an applicant for an original driver's
license or identification card to submit satisfactory proof that the
applicant's presence in the United States is authorized under federal
law.
   (b) The department shall not issue an original driver's license or
identification card to a person who does not submit satisfactory
proof that the applicant's presence in the United States is
authorized under federal law.
   (c) The department shall adopt regulations to carry out the
purposes of this section, including procedures for, but not limited
to, (1) verifying that the applicant's presence in the United States
is authorized under federal law, (2) issuance of a temporary license
pending verification of the applicant's status, and (3) appeal
hearings from a denial of a license, temporary license, or
identification card.
   (d) On January 10 of each year, the department shall submit a
supplemental budget report to the Governor and the Legislature
detailing the costs of verifying the citizenship or legal residency
of applicants for driver's licenses and identification cards, in
order for the state to request reimbursement from the federal
government.
   (e) Notwithstanding Section 40300 or any other provision of law, a
peace officer may not detain or arrest a person solely on the belief
that the person is an unlicensed driver, unless the officer has
reasonable cause to believe the person driving is under the age of 16
years.
   (f) The inability to obtain a driver's license pursuant to this
section does not abrogate or diminish in any respect the legal
requirement of every driver in this state to obey the motor vehicle
laws of this state, including laws with respect to licensing, motor
vehicle registration, and financial responsibility.

Last modified: February 13, 2012