Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker has signed House Bill 3125 into law, allowing illegal immigrants to become licensed driving instructors beginning January 1, 2026.
Background
In 2013, Illinois became one of the first states to issue Temporary Visitor Driver’s Licenses (TVDLs) to illegal immigrants who passed road tests.
In 2024, lawmakers expanded those privileges by allowing illegal immigrants to obtain standard IDs without the large purple mark declaring them “not valid for identification.”
The new law builds on those measures. Under HB 3125, anyone who has held a TVDL for at least two years will now be eligible to apply to become a certified driving instructor in Illinois.
Supporters’ Argument
Sponsors of the legislation said the law will help expand the pool of eligible instructors at a time when many driving schools are short-staffed, while keeping job qualifications intact.
“This change ensures we expand opportunities without lowering the standards,” one lawmaker said when pushing the measure forward.
Safety Concerns Raised
The bill comes amid heightened concerns over non-citizens receiving driver’s licenses. Opponents pointed to the recent case of Harjinder Singh, an illegal alien truck driver licensed in California and Washington state, who caused a fatal crash in Florida.
Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles said Singh failed English-language requirements and could not read road signs. He allegedly attempted an illegal U-turn on Florida’s Turnpike near Fort Pierce, killing three people.
Singh was arrested in Stockton, California, and charged with three counts of vehicular homicide. Florida officials confirmed he will be deported after serving his sentence.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the case highlights the risks of extending driver’s licenses to those not proficient in English.
What’s Next
The law will take effect on January 1, 2026.
