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Ever since he was elected Governor of Florida, Ron DeSantis has made the topic of immigration his biggest ax to grind. The state now has the harshest immigration enforcement laws in the United States, turning it into a virtual battleground for immigrants and their advocates. The laws are meant to discourage undocumented or unauthorized immigrants from entering or living in Florida.
In July 2023, Governor DeSantis signed a law into effect invalidating out-of-state driver’s licenses issued to unauthorized and undocumented immigrants in Connecticut, Vermont, Delaware, Rhode Island, and Hawaii. Then, in February 2025, DeSantis signed even stronger restrictions banning the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles from issuing driver’s licenses or IDs to any undocumented or unauthorized immigrant. Now, if you are undocumented or you do not have lawful presence in the U.S. and you are caught driving with an unrecognized license, it will land you in trouble.
Penalties You May Face for Driving in Florida Without a License
If you do not hold legal immigration status in the U.S. and you are caught driving without a valid license in Florida, you may be punished with a misdemeanor charge and fined up to $500 or receive a sentence of up to 60 days in jail. The local police authority can then notify Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) of your status. In that scenario, you could then find yourself facing deportation proceedings.
The ACLU has condemned these laws as unconstitutional, and some immigration activists believe a collaboration between ICE and Florida law enforcement will only increase racial profiling in immigrant communities. Another major concern is that Florida’s refusal to recognize valid out-of-state driver’s licenses that some undocumented immigrants hold can risk public safety by increasing the number of unlicensed and uninsured drivers. This can be especially difficult for drivers who live in other states but must enter Florida as part of their job requirement.
Steps You Should Take
Even if you have a driver’s license that is valid in your home state, be aware that if the police stop you in Florida and find that you’re undocumented, this can result in serious consequences. Your best action is to know the laws of a state before entering it as an undocumented or unauthorized immigrant. If you must enter Florida, be sure to find another means of transportation besides getting behind the wheel of a car.
If you’re an undocumented or unauthorized immigrant who is concerned about Florida’s driving laws, or if you have questions regarding another immigration legal matter, contact U.S. Immigration Law Counsel for a strategy session to discuss your case.
