SALINAS - The DMV line could get a lot longer, as hundreds of thousands of undocumented Californians are now able to get a driver's license.
Gov. Jerry Brown cleared the way, but not without controversy to follow.
Supporters said the new law is an important step to make highways safer.
Opponents worry it'll be used for other purposes.
The governor signed the bill allowing undocumented Californians who have been accepted under a federal work program to apply for a driver's license.
The new law affects an estimated 400,000 people under the age of 30.
"I have a lot of pride from my roots and my culture but I was raised here," said Karla Guillen of Salinas.
Nineteen-year-old Guillen's family migrated here from Guadalajara when she was just three.
This is home for her.
But she said convincing others isn't so easy.
"It makes me feel like I'm battling my own identity in a way, because I was born in a different country, but I was raised in a different country," she said. "It makes me feel like I'm Mexican, but I'm American. In a sense, I'm not either, because citizens of this country don't consider me a citizen."
But now Guillen could get her a big break.
She, along with hundreds of thousands of others, will now be able to get a driver's license as long as they are eligble for work permits.
Guillen already has plans in the works to apply now that she qualifies.
"I'm very hopeful that I'll be able to drive one day," she said. "I mean, I'm just really happy that one day I'll be able to drive safe in the streets and not have to worry and stuff."
The intention of the bill is to make roads safer while letting young immigrants drive to school and work, like those who came here without a choice and want to turn their lives around; Guillen being one example.
"I'm just happy because it will be one less thing to worry about and from here we can go up to higher things," she said.
