Is It Legal To Require A Driver’s License When Applying For A Job In CA?

Have you ever found the perfect job, only to have your application turned away because you don’t have a driver’s license? You may be glad to know that the State of California now prohibits employers from requiring a driver’s license to apply for most jobs.

Getting Around In California

All states require a license to drive a vehicle. While the state has the highest number of driver’s licenses of any state, many workers in California do not have one. 

They can take alternative modes of transportation, such as:

• Walking
• Riding a bike
• Carpooling
• Taking a taxi
• Using a ride-share service, such as Uber

These alternate methods of transportation get millions of people to work on time.

Some Jobs Require A Driver’s License

Aside from providing ID, there are a few valid reasons employers may require applicants to have a driver’s license. A delivery person needs a license to legally operate a vehicle, for example. First responders and taxi drivers are operating vehicles for the general public. Or, providing transportation to employees without licenses may be too expensive for the employer.

Jobs that might require a driver’s license include:

• Taxi, ride-share, bus drivers
• Couriers, delivery drivers
• Parking attendants
• First responders, such as paramedics, firefighters, police
• Refuse collectors

Driver’s License Requirement May Lead To Discrimination

While requiring a driver’s license is reasonable in some cases, it opens the door to discrimination in others. Refusing applications from those without a license closes off opportunities for some people, including those with disabilities that prevent them from getting behind the wheel, young adults and low-income individuals who cannot afford to buy a car or insure it, and those who don’t drive for personal reasons. People whose licenses are temporarily suspended may lose out on income they’d need to reinstate their license.

California Now Prohibits The Requirement For Driver’s Licenses On Most Job Applications

Senate Bill (SB) 1100 amended the California Fair Employment and Housing Act, which prohibits different types of discrimination when it comes to housing or employment. This act already prohibits employers from discriminating against applicants because of their race, religion, national origin, gender, and more. SB1100 expands the act to prohibit discrimination against applicants who do not have a driver’s license.

Governor Newsom signed SB1100 in September of 2024. It took effect on January 1, 2025.

Under SB 1000, Employers Can Require A Driver’s License For Some Applicants

The updated act does allow a driver’s license requirement for some applicants. Employers can only require that an applicant has a license if:

• Driving is part of the job
• The employer thinks alternate transportation would cause problems with travel times or costs for the employer

Have You Been Prevented From Applying For A Job In California? Know Your Rights! Contact Your California Employment Lawyer At D.Law!

You need a job to create a better life and provide for your family, but some employers won’t accept your application if you don’t have a driver’s license – and this may now be illegal under updated California laws. If your application is being refused for a job that does not require driving, contact D.Law. Our attorneys have decades of experience in California employment law and worker’s rights, and we can help ensure your employment rights in the Bay Area, San Diego, Fresno, Los Angeles, and other CA cities.