REAL ID Not Real Soon

[Valerie S. Johnson]

By Valerie S. Johnson

The 2005 REAL ID Act requires all states to standardize their driver’s licenses and identification cards. Each card must incorporate certain security features, such as a digital photograph and barcode. The 9/11 Commission endorsed the REAL ID requirements.

However, many states objected to the administrative burdens and costs of adopting these measures to make their licenses and cards comply by May 2008. That deadline has just been pushed back eighteen months, until December 31, 2009.

Is the REAL ID license a national ID card? The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) says no, because the states -- not the federal government -- will continue to issue licenses, and no national database of driver information will be maintained.

What’s the real purpose? DHS says that “REAL ID is a nationwide effort intended to prevent terrorism, reduce fraud, and improve the reliability and accuracy of identification documents that State governments issue.” You can count on more bureaucracy and higher costs when you visit the Department of Motor Vehicles to renew your driver’s license.

[tinapbeana]

woohoo!! i have to renew this year and my license will be good for 10 years, which means i'll have a license photo of a 29 year old me when i'm 40! sweet!

Thanks for the update. You're right, it's just more bureaucracy and higher costs. It's also another way to "justify" the ever growing expense of "Homeland Security."

[crabbypatty]

Wow, the college kids will be disappointed. No more trying to fool a bouncer with an "out of state" license.

[cptacek]

"Is the REAL ID license a national ID card? The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) says no, because the states -- not the federal government -- will continue to issue licenses, and no national database of driver information will be maintained"

Whenever something like this is discussed, someone objects to there being a "national ID card." I currently don't have an opinion on this, because I don't know the pros and cons of having a "national ID card" is. Does anyone out there have strong feelings for or against that? I'm not sure why some people think it is such a big deal.

My first inclination is "so, everyone has the same driver's license." The federal government and other states besides your own has a database with information your state already has. The federal government already knows about you...you have a SSN and pay federal taxes, right? So what if they know your fake weight (maybe accurate 5 years ago, not so much now) and real height and address?

I am not trying to start an argument...I am trying to get other's feedback/opinion.

Thanks!

[Broken Arrow]

Originally Posted by tinapbeana

woohoo!! i have to renew this year and my license will be good for 10 years, which means i'll have a license photo of a 29 year old me when i'm 40! sweet!

Hehe, I've never thought of it that way. But then, I guess this isn't something guys would typically think of I don't think. All of my license photos look like an escaped convict who woke up on the wrong side of the bed in the abandon crack shack. So, age wouldn't matter in my case.

[tinapbeana]

had this conversation at work re: 10 year licenses. it also means i only need to 'prove' i can see well enough every 10 years. um, a lot can happen in 10 years including dramatic changes in vision, so the 10 year license is kind of a downer in my book....

[LuxLiving]

Homeland Security? ah yes, one more attempt to lead the sheep by fear!

GACK!

[tabbycat31]

when I renewed my license in 2001, it was good for 8 years. That being said, I don't want to change that pic because it's a really good one.