Number of Nevada driver authorization cards grows to almost 24,000

CARSON CITY — Nearly 24,000 driver authorization cards have been issued in Nevada since the program allowing people in the country illegally to attain driving privileges began a year ago, the state Department of Motor Vehicles reported Thursday.

Officials said 23,840 authorization cards and 2,070 learner permits were issued.

The number of cards issued represents a 31 percent pass rate for the more than 65,000 who took the written test. That compares with a 45 percent pass rate for people taking the test for a standard driver’s license.

DMV spokesman David Fierro said 71,054 written and 29,961 driving tests were administered for authorization cards.

A bill passed by the 2013 Legislature and signed by Republican Gov. Brian Sandoval was designed to provide people in the country illegally a way to legally drive on Nevada roadways. Officials said it would make Nevada’s streets safer because motorists would have to pass a test, demonstrate they know the rules of the road and purchase auto insurance.

Officials initially estimated 60,000 people would take advantage of the new law, which is modeled after a similar law in Utah. But the year-end figures show most of the driver authorization cards were issued within the first six months.

The driver authorization cards are different from regular driver’s licenses in that they cannot be used for official identification such as that required to board a commercial aircraft.