AB 60 and Car Insurance: The Practical Path for Undocumented California Drivers

California-licensed insurers write policies for AB 60 drivers, and the state California Low Cost Automobile (CLCA) program does not ask about immigration status. Here is what the DMV and the Insurance Commissioner actually say.

Last reviewed: August 2, 2026 · Verified against DMV, CDI, and mylowcostauto.com sources

Updated August 2026. Yes, you can insure a car in California without immigration papers. California's AB 60 driver license (Vehicle Code §12801.9, in force since January 2015) is a valid state license that insurers accept. The state's California Low Cost Automobile (CLCA) program evaluates eligibility on income, vehicle value, and driving record. Citizenship and immigration status are not eligibility factors. The AB 60 license cannot be used against you as evidence of immigration status.

What the AB 60 license actually is

The AB 60 program lets California residents apply for a state driver license without proving lawful presence in the United States. It has been in force since January 1, 2015.

The program is codified at California Vehicle Code §12801.9 and detailed on the DMV AB 60 driver licenses page. An AB 60 license authorizes you to drive in California and is used by the DMV and insurers the same way any other California license is used. By statute, the AB 60 card itself cannot be used to prove citizenship, lawful presence, or eligibility for any public benefit, and it carries a federal-limits notice printed on the card.

Getting a private policy with an AB 60 license

California-authorized insurers can and do write standard private policies with an AB 60 driver as the named insured. The underwriting looks at the license, driving record, and vehicle in the usual way.

AB 60 driving records live in the same DMV system used for all other California licenses, so a carrier can pull the record to price the policy. Some smaller California-authorized carriers avoid the segment, so when you shop, confirm with the carrier or agent up front that they write AB 60 as the primary rated driver. The minimum liability limits are the same as for every other California driver: 30/60/15 as of January 1, 2025.

See the current DMV auto insurance requirements

The CLCA state program and citizenship documents

California Low Cost Automobile (CLCA) is the state-run liability insurance program administered by the California Department of Insurance. Eligibility runs on income, vehicle value, and driving record. Citizenship and immigration status are not eligibility factors.

The official program site is mylowcostauto.com, and the current eligibility rules — income limits by household size, vehicle value cap, driving record — live on the CLCA qualifications page. Check that page for the current thresholds rather than relying on any number quoted here or on any third-party site. The California Department of Insurance also publishes a plain-language CLCA overview for consumers.

California Department of Insurance — Low Cost Automobile program

Practical steps to shop and buy

A working sequence for a California driver whose license path is AB 60: get the license, decide between CLCA and a private policy, then quote and bind.

Apply for the AB 60 license at the DMV. Bring the DMV-listed identity documents; the DMV AB 60 page lists which are accepted.
Once you hold the AB 60 card, check CLCA qualifications on mylowcostauto.com. If you qualify, the CLCA program is the lowest-cost California-compliant option for a licensed driver.
If you do not qualify for CLCA — vehicle value cap, income above the threshold, or an ineligible driving history — quote a standard private policy. Confirm with the carrier that they write AB 60 as the primary driver before you take an application.
For the private-policy path, ask the agent whether the carrier files an SR-22 when required, since the SR-22 obligation runs with the driver, not the license type.

California Department of Insurance auto insurance consumer guides

Insuring a car without immigration papers in California (AB 60) — frequently asked questions

Can I insure a car in California without immigration papers?

Yes. With an AB 60 license you can buy a standard private policy from a California-authorized insurer or enroll in the state CLCA program if you qualify on income, vehicle value, and driving record. Immigration status is not an eligibility factor for CLCA, and the AB 60 license (Vehicle Code §12801.9) is valid for the DMV and for insurers.

Do insurers ask for a Social Security number or immigration status?

To rate a policy, insurers use the license and the DMV driving record. Some carriers ask for a Social Security number as part of the credit-check or the application, but several accept an ITIN or another identifier. Practices vary by carrier; ask the agent directly before taking an application.

Does CLCA require citizenship documents?

No. The CLCA program eligibility rules are published on mylowcostauto.com and are based on income by household size, a vehicle-value cap, and driving record. Citizenship and immigration status do not appear among the eligibility factors. Check the qualifications page directly for the current thresholds.

Is my AB 60 license data shared with immigration enforcement?

The AB 60 card carries a federal-limits notice and, by statute (Vehicle Code §12801.9), it cannot be used to prove citizenship, lawful presence, or eligibility for public benefits. For specific questions about DMV data privacy and confidentiality, consult the DMV or a legal advisor; this page is general information.

What are the California liability minimums for an AB 60 driver?

The same as for every California driver: 30/60/15 as of January 1, 2025 — $30,000 for injury or death of one person, $60,000 per accident when more than one person is hurt, and $15,000 for property damage. The state does not set different minimums by license type.

Can I register the car without immigration papers?

Vehicle registration and driver licensing are separate DMV transactions. Registration requires proof of insurance on the vehicle (Vehicle Code §16430). If you own the car and carry the liability policy, you can register it. Confirm the exact documentation with the DMV.

Can I file an SR-22 with an AB 60 license?

Yes. The SR-22 obligation runs with the driver and with the event that triggered it (for example, a DUI or driving uninsured), not with the license type. A California-authorized insurer can file an SR-22 on behalf of an AB 60 driver. When you shop, confirm the carrier files SR-22s.

Primary sources

Government and statutory sources first. Verified August 2, 2026.