Subcommittee tables bill to suspend Virginia driver privilege cards after public opposition

Delegate Garrett introduced House Bill 993, a measure carried at the request of a prior governor that would suspend Virginia’s issuance of driver privilege cards, arguing the cards move noncitizens “one step closer to registering to vote.”

Two public commenters opposed the bill. Ashley Elstad, advocacy manager at Homke Center, said suspending the cards would “deny immigrant workers, especially from getting and keeping their employment and further burden[] their families,” and would force community members to drive without documentation and greater fear. John Cano, senior supervisor and organizer with the Legal Aid Justice Center, said eliminating the cards would “invalidate existing cards currently relied on by thousands of Virginians,” reduce road safety by putting untested and uninsured drivers back on the road, and destabilize families and local economies.

After public testimony, Delegate McClure offered a substitute motion to lay HB993 on the table (pass by indefinitely). The motion was seconded and voted on; the subcommittee recorded the bill as tabled by a vote of 5 to 3. Chair remarks closed the item and the committee moved on to subsequent agenda items.

Why it matters: Driver privilege cards have been used in Virginia to allow undocumented residents to obtain a form of driving documentation that advocates say improves road safety by encouraging testing, registration, and insurance. Supporters of HB993 framed the bill as enforcing federal immigration rules, while opponents argued the measure would produce public-safety and economic harms for families and communities.

What’s next: The bill was tabled (passed by indefinitely) by the committee vote; no further action on HB993 was taken at this subcommittee meeting.