Undocumented in California can make driver's license appointments

Approximately 1.4 million undocumented immigrants will soon be able to legally obtain driver's licenses in California.

The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) announced that starting today, November 12, 2014, you can begin making your appointments to apply for your driver's licenses.

AB 60, which was passed by the California legislature in September 2013, and ratified by Governor Jerry Brown on October 3 of the same year, will finally go into effect this coming January 1, 2015.

Due to the New Year's Day holiday, the first day of business will be Friday, January 2, 2015.

In order to handle the high volume of applications, the DMV has hired more employees and added the ability to mark appointments up to 90 days in advance to facilitate processing. Previously, appointments could only be marked 45 days in advance.

Beginning January 3, the DMV will also extend its hours on Saturdays to serve all new license applicants at 60 field offices around the state.

You can schedule an appointment to obtain a California license for the first time by phone, online or mobile app.

The telephone number to call is 1-800-777-0133. You can make an appointment at DMV website or download the DMV Now App on your smartphone - either an iPhone or Android.

To obtain the license, the person will have to do the following:

Make an appointment to go to a local DMV office.
2. Studying for the written exam to obtain the license.
3. Complete an application for a driver's license (form DL 44).
4. Present proof of California identity and residency under AB 60.
5. Pass an eye exam
6. Pass the written examination to obtain the license
7. Give your fingerprint and have a photograph taken (done at the DMV).
9. Schedule an appointment for the behind-the-wheel driving test.

There is more information about the regulations on the following DMV website: https://apps.dmv.ca.gov/ab60/index.html