Immigrant Drivers: Traffic Safety, Drivers' Licenses and Homeland Security

Abstract

The question of who qualifies for a state drivers' license, once a mundane issue, has become the focus of national debate - state by state - in part because of homeland security concerns. In fact, 38 states, including Missouri, considered amendments to drivers' license laws in 2002, and many of these proposals would have further restricted immigrant access to licenses. Simultaneously, immigration into states like Missouri has increased significantly, especially immigration from Latin America. Substantial numbers of these immigrants are driving and should be required to obtain a driver's license for their own safety and that of the general public. This brief outlines the problems posed by immigrant drivers, identifies homeland security concerns, and suggests a solution to the problem of unlicensed immigrant drivers that does not conflict with security needs.