Summit High School community partners show undocumented students ways to obtain a driver’s license

Summit High School graduate Carlos Lopez said he felt lost a decade ago when his classmates began getting their driver’s licenses.

He said he and his family, who immigrated to the United States years ago, were very unfamiliar with the process of obtaining a driver’s license because no one had taken the time to explain it to them.

He didn’t want other new immigrants to share his feelings – he wanted them to be well-informed about the process and confident that they could get a driver’s license. When Summit High School approached him this fall with the opportunity to do just that, he jumped at the chance.

On Oct. 10, Summit County Sheriff’s Deputy Lopez, Patrick Finley, Kay Robinson of the Summit County Clerk & Recorder Office and Ashley Hinton of the Department of Motor Vehicles’ Frisco Driver’s License Office presented ways for high school students to obtain a driver’s license . The presentation was aimed at both undocumented students and those who are citizens.

Finley opened the presentation by saying he wanted to give all students of age the opportunity to obtain a driver’s license. He said his office has had trouble stopping students who are driving without cars.

“Let’s get to the bottom of the problem and figure out how to get your driver’s license,” he told the students.

Hinton followed suit and promulgated the Colorado Road and Community Safety ActThe law, passed in 2013, is the reason that people without immigration documents can obtain a standard driver’s license. This legislative effort aimed to improve accessibility of driving licenses and clarified what type of documentation was required to obtain one.

Hinton explained to students that they must provide identification, including a foreign passport, consular card or military ID. Additionally, an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number issued by the United States Internal Revenue Service to noncitizens, a Social Security number, or other proof of a person’s residency in Colorado is required.

She said a utility bill issued in the name of a student or their parents or school records and certificates are acceptable as proof of residency.

She then explained to students how to make an appointment with the Department of Motor Vehicles.

“Appointments are free, it is illegal to charge you,” Hinton said, pointing out that unfortunately there is a nationwide trend of some employees trying to take advantage of those unfamiliar with the driver’s license process.

Lopez, who currently works for a nonprofit that works to obtain driver’s licenses for undocumented immigrants, chimed in, saying he’s seen this happen especially with those who aren’t tech savvy.

He said he’s seen some people being charged up to $150 for appointments that should be free.

Hinton clarified that it costs money to take the driving test or renew a driver’s license. She explained to students that some of the aspects behind the process — such as taking the driver’s test, a service the county does not currently offer — can be done at offices other than the one in Frisco. However, obtaining a license plate must be done in Summit County.

Robinson then showed the students how to get a license plate and explained that they should not be decorated with stickers, something Finley said he has seen on license plates in Summit. The group provided students with printed guides and forms to help them get started with the process.

To learn more about the Colorado Road and Community Safety Act and how to obtain a standard license, visit Tinyurl.com/34drsrxe.