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Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026

Can you get a regular Nevada driver’s license if you’re undocumented?

Kate Reynolds, The Nevada Independent
no

Undocumented immigrants cannot receive regular Nevada driver’s licenses. 

Obtaining a Nevada driver’s license requires a Social Security number, which is unavailable to people who entered the U.S. illegally.

Noncitizens can receive Nevada driver’s licenses if they apply for a Social Security number or if they possess U.S.-issued immigration documents, such as naturalization certificates. Social Security numbers are available to lawful permanent residents, or green card holders, or noncitizens with other authorized work visas.

Nevada’s undocumented residents can still drive legally by receiving a driver authorization card. 

Those cards have lower proof of identity requirements, allowing applicants to submit passports, birth certificates or IDs issued by foreign governments. The driver authorization cards are not valid identification and cannot be used to board aircraft or enter facilities where ID is required. 

Nevada is one of 19 states plus Washington, D.C., to offer driving privileges to undocumented residents.

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.

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The Nevada Independent is a nonpartisan, nonprofit news and opinion website founded in 2017 by veteran political journalist and commentator Jon Ralston. The site and its supporting channels are focused on ethical, unbiased and transparent journalism. In general, we aim to gather and disseminate important public information and increase civic engagement. We are supported by corporate donations, memberships, event ticket sales and sponsorships and foundation grants. We disclose all our members and donors. Donors have no influence over our content, ever. The Nevada Independent is the dba for Nevada News Bureau, Inc., a 501(c)3 nonprofit founded in 2010 by Elizabeth Thompson, who now serves as one of The Nevada Independent's managing directors and its Editor.

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