Section 12801.5.

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the department shall require an applicant for an original driver's license or identification card to submit satisfactory proof that the applicant's presence in the United States is authorized under federal law.

(b) The department shall not issue an original driver's license or identification card to a person who does not submit satisfactory proof that the applicant's presence in the United States is authorized under federal law.

(c) The department shall adopt regulations to carry out the purposes of this section, including procedures for, but not limited to, (1) verifying that the applicant's presence in the United States is authorized under federal law, (2) issuance of a temporary license pending verification of the applicant's status, and (3) appeal hearings from a denial of a license, temporary license, or identification card.

(d) On January 10 of each year, the department shall submit a supplemental budget report to the Governor and the Legislature detailing the costs of verifying the citizenship or legal residency of applicants for driver's licenses and identification cards, in order for the state to request reimbursement from the federal government.

(e) Notwithstanding Section 40300 or any other provision of law, a peace officer may not detain or arrest a person solely on the belief that the person is an unlicensed driver, unless the officer has reasonable cause to believe the person driving is under the age of 16 years.

(f) The inability to obtain a driver's license pursuant to this section does not abrogate or diminish in any respect the legal requirement of every driver in this state to obey the motor vehicle laws of this state, including laws with respect to licensing, motor vehicle registration, and financial responsibility.

(Amended by Stats. 2003, 3rd Ex. Sess., Ch. 1, Sec. 5. Effective December 4, 2003. Operative January 1, 2004, by Sec. 8 of Ch. 1.)