LOS ANGELES >> Gov. Jerry Brown is expected to sign a bill adding California to a growing list of states that grant driver licenses to immigrants in the country illegally.

Brown is scheduled to sign the legislation at a ceremony in Los Angeles Thursday morning.

Immigrant advocates have long lobbied for the change in California so immigrants in the country illegally can drive without fearing being pulled over for a ticket, which could wind up getting them deported.

The new licenses will not be considered valid federal identification and will be marked differently from other licenses.

The licenses are expected to be issued starting Jan. 1, 2015.