Legislative Watch 
LEGISLATIVE
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12/6/05-Rep. John Aguilera wants to give illegal immigrants in the state a special driver’s license if they pass an exam and purchase automobile insurance.
Aguilera, D-East Chicago, said he plans to introduce a bill in the legislative session that begins Jan.9 to allow illegal immigrants to obtain a license that could be used only for driving.
The special driver’s licenses would look different than licenses for citizens and legal aliens. The version for illegal immigrants would not be valid for identification or purposes other than driving.
Aguilera said roughly 300,000 undocumented immigrants reside in Indiana.
A state permit would ensure that immigrant drivers have insurance and know the rules of the road, he told The Indianapolis Star. It could make them less likely to leave accident scenes, he said.
States already are prohibited from issuing an official license because of a new federal law that requires applicants to present a Social Security card.
For a limited immigrant driving permit, applicants instead could present a federal tax identification number from the Internal Revenue Service.
