Sacramento, CA – Allegations of widespread fraud involving the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) permit test have emerged from within the Afghan Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holder community in Sacramento. Sources who spoke to Kauser News Agency on the condition of anonymity claim that numerous individuals who arrived in the United States from Afghanistan after the 2021 evacuation have fraudulently obtained driver’s permits, potentially endangering themselves and other California drivers.
The anonymous sources, who signed non-disclosure agreements, allege that a significant number of these individuals, particularly women residing in the Carmichael, Arden-Arcade, and Marconi areas of Sacramento County, have utilized the DMV’s online permit testing system to cheat. Witnesses claim that many of these applicants lack the English proficiency to read or write their own names in Dari, their native language, let alone comprehend the complex questions on the permit exam. This has led to concerns that individuals are having others take the online test on their behalf.
“The evacuation brought many of our people to safety, but it also brought challenges,” a source, whose identity is being withheld to prevent reprisal, stated. “People who cannot read or write are somehow passing the permit test. This is not possible without help. They are a danger to themselves and to everyone on the road.”
The sources specifically pointed to the Carmichael DMV office as a location where many of these alleged fraudulent activities have been concentrated. They noted that individuals from neighboring counties are also reportedly traveling to Sacramento to take advantage of the online testing option, believing it is easier to circumvent the system there.
The California DMV first introduced an online version of the written knowledge test in 2020 to provide more convenient service options. While this has been a welcome innovation for many, the sources allege it has created a loophole for fraud.
According to the California Driver’s Handbook, all applicants for a new driver’s license must pass a knowledge test on traffic laws and road signs. The DMV does provide the written test in multiple languages, including Dari and Pashto, the primary languages spoken by Afghans. Interpreter services are also available for those who require assistance with communication at DMV field offices.
The core of the new allegations centers on the online test, which is taken remotely. The sources claim that this lack of direct supervision allows for a third party to take the test for the applicant.
The California DMV takes a strong stance against any form of fraudulent activity. According to the DMV’s website, “providing false documents to the DMV, such as a forged birth certificate or other documents, or having another person take a test on your behalf, can result in the revocation of your driving privilege and legal penalties.” The DMV has robust systems in place to detect and investigate fraud.
The influx of Afghan refugees and SIV holders to the Sacramento region has been significant, particularly following the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. Sacramento County is home to one of the largest Afghan communities in the United States. Many of these newcomers face significant barriers, including language and cultural differences, as they work to build new lives.
Kauser News Agency is in the process of reaching out to the California DMV’s Communications Office for comment on these specific allegations and to understand what measures are in place to ensure the integrity of the online permit testing process. This is a developing story, and more information will be provided as it becomes available.
