Oregon Public Broadcasting

An Oregon driver's license would become proof of legal status under a measure approved Monday in the Oregon Senate.  Salem correspondent Chris Lehman reports.

The plan requires people to prove they’re in the country legally before getting or renewing a driver’s license. A valid Social Security number will do the trick for most.

Licenses for people here on temporary visas will expire when the visas do.

Washington state does not require proof of legal status for drivers licenses, but Republican Senator Bruce Starr says the measure brings Oregon in line with most of the country.

Bruce Starr:  “The vast majority of other states already require legal presence in order to get a drivers license. There’s just a handful of states that are like Oregon that do not. And it’s time that we do take this step and that this piece of plastic that most of us carry in our wallets or in our purses actually means something.”

Opponents said the measure will lead to an increase in un-licensed, un-insured drivers.  They say undocumented workers need to be able to drive to get to jobs in Oregon’s agriculture and construction industries.

The measure now heads to the House.

Online:

Oregon Senate Bill 1080