Hundreds of illegal immigrants are lining up outside of the New York Department of Motor Vehicles offices across the state to apply for their driver’s licenses for the first time under a new Green Light law.

The law, approved by lawmakers in June, took effect on Monday, providing the first illustration of the sheer number of illegal immigrants who were previously driving without the proper credentials and training.

“This is the line outside a @nysdmv office in #Queens,” NY1 reporter Rocco Vertuccio posted to Twitter early Monday. “About a 100 most #undocumentedimmigrants applying for a drivers license for the first time bc #greenlightlaw is now in effect.”

The accompanying video shows a long line of mostly Hispanic men and women waiting outside in the freezing cold, bundled in jackets and many sipping hot beverages. The line easily included hundreds, with overflow out of the building snaking around the block.

Pictures posted by Javier H. Valdez confirms it was a similar situation in The Bronx, Staten Island and other areas.

Ivan Blanco told the New York Daily News he arrived at the Queens DMV at 8 a.m. to get his driver’s license and seven hours later he submitted his application.

The 57-year-old construction worker said he’s grateful for the privilege to drive, but most illegal immigrants simply “drive without a license.”

“That’s wrong,” Blanco told the Daily News.

“I thank God for his help today,” he said. “You can take your kids to school. You can drive to work. You can keep your family more relaxed.”

Catherine Jimenez, a 35-year-old floral designer, said getting a license is about “status.”

“It’s necessary for a lot of things. School. Go to the mall. Go for a trip,” she said.

According to the New York DMV:

The Driver’s License Access and Privacy Act, commonly called the ‘Green Light law,’ was enacted on June 17, 2019, and takes effect on December 16, 2019. It allows all New Yorkers age 16 and older to apply for a standard, not for federal purpose, non-commercial driver license or learner permit regardless of their citizenship or lawful status in the United States.

Under the Driver’s License Access and Privacy Act, driver license applicants who have never been issued a Social Security Number are eligible to apply.

Illegal immigrants must follow the same process as lawful residents to gain driving privileges, including a road and written test, and must provide documentation to prove their name, date of birth and state residency.

QNS reports:

Outside the Queens DMV, immigrants were chanting “Si se pudo!” (We did it) and “Licencias para todos!” (Licenses for all) as they awaited their opportunity.

“What an incredible feeling it will be to finally have a license,” MRNY member Fausto Jiminez said. “This will mean I can drive my family where we want to go, with the peace of mind that I won’t be stopped and torn away from the people I love.”

Experts have found that the Greenlight Law will bring substantial economic benefits to the state including $57 million in annual revenue. New York has joined twelve states, plus Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico, which have similar policies in place.