For Immediate Release

June 12, 2019

Assemblywoman Romeo Announces Support for Driver’s

License Access and Privacy Act
Growing Support from Diverse Groups Beginning Consensus on Issue
(Albany, NY) – Today, the New York State Assembly will pass the Driver’s License Access and Privacy Act which would
allow undocumented New Yorkers to apply for a standard state driver’s license (A.3675b). If signed into law, New York
would join Utah and 11 other states – plus Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia – in allowing undocumented
immigrants to apply for a driver’s license.1

After weeks of negotiations many groups have announced their support of this proposal including the Business Council of
New York State, New York State Vegetable Growers Association, and the American Property Casualty Insurance
Association.

“For decades the Federal Government has kicked the can down the road and done nothing to solve our Nation’s lack of a
comprehensive immigration policy. The reality is many undocumented immigrants live in and contribute to our
communities. They raise their kids, patronize our small businesses and pay taxes. Moreover, many undocumented
immigrants are already on the road, but are doing so without a license or insurance. This legislation protects New Yorkers
by requiring that undocumented license applicants pass a driving test and are informed of traffic laws. In addition to being
properly licensed, this legislation will help to ensure they are operating registered, inspected and insured vehicles.”
Assemblywoman Romeo stated.

Licensing would provide a boost to state and local economies by removing barriers to employment while also helping
families get to the doctor and to school. In neighborhoods that have limited public transportation, including rural and
agricultural communities, this legislation would benefit all those who reside and work there. Not only does this legislation
increase safety, it would save New Yorkers money. Accidents with uninsured motorists drive up costs for everyone. An
increase in licensing and insured vehicles on the road will help bring down auto insurance premiums by about $17 per
policy per year according to Fiscal Policy Institute (FPI) estimates.[1]

A 2016 Roger Williams University School of Law report found that states that allow undocumented immigrants to apply
for a driving document have fewer traffic fatalities on average than states that require either documented legal presence or
a valid Social Security number.[2] In Connecticut, hit-and-run crashes dropped by 9% between 2016 and 2018 and there
were 1,200 fewer hit-and-run crashes in the 10 cities with the highest concentration of drive-only licenses issued to
undocumented immigrants, a 15% decrease over three years.[3]

“The Driver’s License Access and Privacy Act is by no means an attempt to set immigration policy through New York
State,” Assemblywoman Romeo added, “but as State Representatives it is our responsibility to represent everyone that
lives in our communities. Undocumented immigrants are a vital component of our agricultural labor force, and this measure
restores access to driver’s licenses this community had until 2001.”

[1] fiscalpolicy.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Updated-Dl-2019-report-Press-Release.pdf
[2] rwu.edu/sites/default/files/downloads/lpi/drivers-license_report-legal.pdf
[3] necir.org/2019/04/17/licenses-for-undocumented-immigrants-seem-to-show-benefits-in-connecticut
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