The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles, an immigrant rights organization, today applauded preliminary Dept. of Motor Vehicles statistics showing 46,200 driver license applicants were seen from Friday through Monday.
Assembly Bill 60 is the new law allowing Californians to apply for a driver license if they can prove identity, residency, and meet other testing requirements. DMV started implementing the new law on Friday.
“We are pleased so many applicants are seeking the protection of the new driver license right away,” said Apolonio Morales, political director of thre Coalition.
“For safer roads for all Californians and for a strong sense of security amongst hard-working families, AB 60 is the smartest law California could have passed in recent memory.”
For more than two decades, the Coalition has advocated for the passage of driver licenses for all California residents regardless of immigration status. When Gov. Brown approved the bill last year, he paved the way for other states to show leadership while taking concrete steps to incorporate their immigrant communities to the fold of society.
“The DMV should be congratulated,” Policy Director Joseph Villela said. “We look forward to collaborating with a flexible DMV administration that makes an effort to understand the immigrant experience in California.”
Iveth Mercado, 35, and Jose Ochoa, 36, are married and reside in South Whittier. They have been driving without a license for three years and nine years, respectively. On Monday, they took the written exam and passed it. They are now awaiting the driver exam. Five additional members of their family are applying for the new driver license as well.
“I couldn’t be happier,” stated Ms. Mercado. “My fears are gone. Now I have to get car insurance.”
The Coalition offers daily, one-hour orientation sessions on AB 60, Administrative Relief, and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. The orientation sessions are bilingual and free. A paid driver license test preparation class is available for $35 for members or $55 (includes a one-year Coalition membership). The three-hour class is in Spanish and dates and locations vary. Call Jerry Guardado at 213.201.3783 to reserve a spot.
Mr. Cabrera may be contacted at jmcabrera@chirla.org. See www.chirla.org
