What Is an AB 60 License in California?
Assembly Bill 60, codified at California Vehicle Code §12801.9, allows any California resident to obtain a state driver's license regardless of immigration status. AB 60 licenses are issued by the California DMV and are fully valid for driving on California roads — the same road test, vision test, and knowledge exam as any other CA license.
California passed AB 60 in 2013, and the DMV began issuing these licenses in January 2015. Since then, over 1 million AB 60 licenses have been issued. The license is marked with the phrase "Federal Limits Apply" on its face, meaning it cannot be used as federal identification (TSA checkpoints, federal facilities, etc.), but it is fully accepted for driving, vehicle registration, and auto insurance purposes throughout California.
For auto insurance, an AB 60 license functions identically to a standard California driver's license. Insurers use it to look up your CA driving record (MVR), verify your identity, and bind a policy. Because AB 60 holders now have a formal California MVR, they are often treated more favorably by insurers than drivers presenting only foreign identification.
How to Get an AB 60 License
- 1Visit a California DMV field office and complete form DL 44
- 2Provide proof of California residency (utility bills, lease, pay stubs — 2 documents)
- 3Provide identity documents (foreign passport, Matrícula Consular, or birth certificate)
- 4Pass the knowledge test (available in Spanish and other languages)
- 5Pass the vision and driving tests
- 6Pay the $41 application fee
Accepted ID Documents for CA Car Insurance
Even without an AB 60 license, California's large non-standard insurance market means specialty carriers accept a wide range of documents. Here's what works with most California specialty insurers:
AB 60 License (California)
Best OptionThe gold standard for undocumented CA residents. Functions identically to a standard CA license for insurance purposes. Creates a CA DMV record so insurers can run MVR checks.
Matrícula Consular (Mexican Consular ID)
Widely AcceptedIssued by Mexican consulates in California. Accepted by many specialty CA insurers when combined with a valid Mexican driver's license. Commonly used in cities with large Mexican immigrant communities (Los Angeles, Fresno, San Jose, San Diego).
Mexican Driver's License (Licencia de Manejo)
AcceptedA valid, unexpired Mexican federal or state driver's license is accepted by most non-standard California insurers. Mexico has reciprocal driving agreements with California, and Mexican licenses are considered verifiable ID.
DACA EAD Card (Employment Authorization Document)
AcceptedDACA recipients who have a valid EAD card can often qualify for a California driver's license through the standard process. The EAD itself is accepted as identity documentation by many CA insurers in the interim.
Foreign Passport
Commonly AcceptedA valid, unexpired foreign passport is a widely recognized identity document. Many California specialty insurers accept a foreign passport paired with a foreign driver's license and proof of California residency.
ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number)
SupplementaryAn IRS-issued ITIN does not itself establish the right to drive, but it is used by many insurers as a supplementary identity verification tool. ITIN holders typically pair this with a Matrícula Consular or foreign license.
You Must Be Licensed to Drive
Car insurance provides financial protection, but it does not authorize you to drive. To legally drive in California, you must hold a valid California license (including AB 60), a valid out-of-state license, or a valid foreign license if you are a visitor. Driving without a license is a separate violation from driving without insurance.
California Minimum Coverage Requirements (SB 1107)
All drivers in California — regardless of citizenship, documentation status, or license type — must carry the same minimum liability insurance. California Senate Bill 1107, signed in 2023, increased California's minimums for the first time since 1967:
| Coverage Type | Old Minimum (pre-2025) | New Minimum (SB 1107) |
|---|---|---|
| Bodily Injury (per person) | $15,000 | $30,000 |
| Bodily Injury (per accident) | $30,000 | $60,000 |
| Property Damage | $5,000 | $15,000 |
Prop 103 Protections Apply to All Drivers
California Proposition 103 prohibits insurers from using a driver's zip code alone as a primary rating factor — a protection that benefits immigrant communities in urban areas who might otherwise face ZIP-code-based discrimination. Primary rating factors under Prop 103 are: driving record, miles driven annually, and years of driving experience. This means an AB 60 holder or a Matrícula Consular driver is rated primarily on how they drive, not on where they live.
The practical implication: a driver with a clean AB 60 record and 5 years of California driving history may qualify for rates similar to any standard CA driver. The key is maintaining continuous coverage without lapses and accumulating clean driving history over time.
How to Get California Car Insurance by Phone
A-LA Auto Insurance serves California statewide by phone — there are no offices to visit. This is especially convenient for drivers in rural California, or those who need same-day coverage and can't take time off work. Here's what to expect when you call:
Call (866) 252-6116
A licensed California insurance agent answers — no automated menus, no chatbots. Have your ID type ready (AB 60 number, Mexican license number, Matrícula Consular, etc.) and your vehicle information (year, make, model, VIN if available).
Identify Yourself
Tell the agent which ID you have. AB 60 holders provide the license number. Matrícula Consular holders provide the consular ID number. Foreign license holders provide the license number and issuing country. No Social Security Number is required for a quote.
Receive Multiple Quotes
The agent shops 35+ California carriers on your behalf, including specialty non-standard carriers who specifically underwrite AB 60, foreign license, and Matrícula Consular drivers. You'll hear rates from multiple companies in real time.
Select Coverage and Bind
Choose the coverage level that fits your needs (minimum liability 30/60/15 or full coverage). Pay by phone using a debit or credit card. Your policy is active immediately upon payment.
Receive Your Insurance ID Cards
Your proof of insurance cards are emailed or texted within minutes. For California, digital ID cards on your phone are legally accepted by law enforcement under Vehicle Code §16028. You can drive the same day.
Coverage Options Available to AB 60 and Unlicensed Drivers
AB 60 holders and drivers with foreign IDs have access to the same coverage types as any California driver. The practical difference is that standard carriers (major national brands) may decline certain foreign-ID profiles, while specialty non-standard carriers accept them with minimal friction.
Liability Only (30/60/15)
Meets California's legal minimum. Covers damage you cause to others. Does not cover your own vehicle. Best for older vehicles or when budget is tight.
For budget-conscious driversFull Coverage
Adds comprehensive and collision on top of liability. Covers your vehicle in accidents, theft, hail, fire, and vandalism. Required if your vehicle is financed or leased.
For financed or newer vehiclesUninsured Motorist (UM)
California has one of the highest rates of uninsured drivers in the nation — approximately 16.6% (NAIC data). UM coverage protects you when an at-fault driver has no insurance.
Highly recommended in CAMedical Payments (MedPay)
Covers medical expenses for you and passengers after an accident, regardless of fault. Particularly valuable if you lack US health insurance — common among recently arrived immigrants.
For drivers without health insuranceFrequently Asked Questions
Can I get car insurance in California without a US driver's license?
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Yes. California accepts AB 60 licenses, Mexican driver's licenses, Matrícula Consular, foreign passports, DACA EAD cards, and ITIN for auto insurance. A-LA Auto Insurance specializes in this and offers same-day coverage by phone at (866) 252-6116.
What is an AB 60 license and how does it help with car insurance?
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AB 60 (Vehicle Code §12801.9) is a California driver's license available to undocumented residents. It functions identically to a standard CA license for driving and insurance purposes. It creates a CA DMV driving record, which makes insuring you easier and often cheaper than with a foreign license only.
Does a Matrícula Consular work for car insurance in California?
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Yes. Many California specialty insurers accept the Matrícula Consular as identification when combined with a valid Mexican or AB 60 driver's license. Call (866) 252-6116 to confirm what a specific carrier requires.
What are California's minimum car insurance requirements in 2026?
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Under SB 1107, California's minimums are 30/60/15: $30,000 bodily injury per person, $60,000 per accident, $15,000 property damage. These apply to all drivers regardless of documentation status.
Can undocumented immigrants get car insurance in California?
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Yes. California's AB 60 law and its large non-standard insurance market make it one of the most accessible states for undocumented drivers to obtain legal auto insurance. A-LA Auto Insurance serves this community statewide by phone — no office visit, no SSN required for a quote.
Get a California Quote by Phone
AB 60, Matrícula Consular, Mexican license, foreign passport — A-LA Auto Insurance works with all of them. Licensed agents available statewide. Same-day coverage, no office visit required.
(866) 252-6116Available Mon–Sat · California statewide · Se habla español
Sean — A-LA Auto Insurance
Licensed Insurance Agent — A-LA Auto Insurance, Dallas-Fort Worth
Sean is a licensed insurance agent at A-LA Auto Insurance, a TDI-licensed independent agency with 13 offices across Dallas-Fort Worth. He specializes in helping Texas drivers find affordable coverage — including SR-22 filings, non-standard auto, no-credit-check options, and coverage for drivers without a US license. Call (866) 252-6116 to speak with the team directly.
A-LA Auto Insurance is a Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) licensed agency. For personalized advice, call (866) 252-6116.