You can’t use these out-of-state licenses in Florida. Here’s the list

With the recent crackdowns on illegal immigration in Florida, it’s a reminder that some out-of-state licenses are no longer legal in the Sunshine State.

That’s because of a 2023 state law (SB 1718), which prohibits the issuance of driver’s licenses to those who don’t have proof of lawful residence in the U.S.

According to a report from our sister station in Orlando WKMG, the legislation also specifies that out-of-state driver’s licenses that are issued exclusively to illegal immigrants are invalid in Florida.

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles states that certain classes of license may be invalid in Florida if presented by a driver who isn’t in the U.S. legally. That list is as follows:

• California
  • “Federal Limits Apply”
• Colorado
  • “Federal Limits Apply”
  • “Not Valid for Federal Identification, Voting or Public Benefit Purposes.”
• Connecticut
  • “DO - Not For Federal Identification”
• District of Columbia
  • “Not Valid for Official Federal Purposes”
• Delaware
  • “Driving Privilege Only”
  • “Not Valid for Identification”
• Hawaii
  • “Limited Purpose Driver’s License”
  • “Limited Purpose Instruction Permit”
  • “Limited Purpose Provisional Driver’s License”
  • “Not Valid for use for official Federal purposes”
• Illinois
  • “Federal Limits Apply”
• Maryland
  • “Not Acceptable for Federal Purposes”
• Massachusetts
  • “Not for Federal ID”
• Minnesota
  • “Not for Federal Identification”
• Nevada
  • “Driver Authorization Card - Not Valid for ID”
• New Jersey
  • “Not for ‘REAL ID’ Purposes”
• New Mexico
  • “Not Intended for Federal Purposes”
  • “Driving Authorization Card”
• New York
  • “Not for Federal Purposes”
• Oregon
  • “Not for REAL ID Act”
• Rhode Island
  • “Not for Federal Identification”
  • “Driver Privilege Card”
  • “Driver Privilege Permit”
• Utah
  • “Not Valid for Identification - Driving Privilege Only”
• Vermont
  • “Not for REAL ID Purposes Driver’s Privilege Card”
  • “Not for REAL ID Purposes Junior Driver’s Privilege Card”
  • “Not for REAL ID Purposes Learner’s Privilege Card”
• Virginia
  • “Federal Limits Apply”
• Washington
  • “Federal Limits Apply”

Anyone who presents one of the listed licenses during a traffic stop may be subject to penalties, legislative analysts explained.

That said, the FLHSMV also provided a handy guide to help clear up any confusion about the law.