Tens of thousands of immigrants have applied for California driver licenses since a new law took effect about a week ago allowing those in the country illegally to obtain a license.

The California Department of Motor Vehicles says since last Friday, more than 46,000 people have applied.  Most were given permits and must return for a road test before getting a license.

The DMV reports that on Friday, Jan. 2, about 36 percent of those who took the driver license exam at its four processing centers passed.

Also on that day, more than 17,000 people applied for the license, and just under one-thousand received one.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.