Thread: DMV audit finds fault with identity verification in NC

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DMV audit finds fault with identity verification

By Taft Wireback
Staff Writer
Article published Jul 21, 2005

North Carolina's driver licensing system is ripe for fraud because of lax laws, inadequate equipment, understaffed offices and ineffective supervision, the Office of State Auditor said Wednesday in a new report.

Without mentioning illegal immigration, the report identifies a variety of loopholes and shortcomings in the state Division of Motor Vehicles that have made North Carolina a magnet for license seekers not in this country legally.

The document by a six-person auditing team, which spent four months studying the agency, found other states have "tighter requirements for documents used as proof of identity, residency and insurance."

"Having less restrictive requirements appears to encourage individuals from other states to travel to North Carolina to obtain a driver's license," the report said.

The report said North Carolina's use of the federal Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, or ITIN, as proof of identity was particularly out of step. ITINs are issued by the Internal Revenue Service, which asks states not to use them for driver-licensing purposes.

"Most states have found that the ITIN is easy to illegally reproduce and only eight states other than North Carolina now accept it," the auditors said.

In an accompanying chart, auditors noted that North Carolina is one of only 10 states that do not require that applicants prove they are legally present in this country.

They also criticized the DMV's lenient policy for applicants who need interpreters, licensing offices staffed by just one examiner, weak control over data entered in the division's computer system and an inconsistent chain of command that lets senior examiners write some of their own rules about acceptable identity documents.

"The General Assembly and (state) personnel should re-examine the list of acceptable documents," the auditors said.

In Raleigh, various state legislators have introduced at least four bills this year designed to tighten licensing standards, but most have made scant progress during the session.

That frustrates state Sen. Phil Berger, an Eden Republican who represents parts of Guilford County. Berger, the Republican leader in the Senate, authored one of the more detailed license-reform bills.

"I think ultimately the state of North Carolina is going to be forced to do something about this by the federal government, which is an unfortunate circumstance," Berger said. "We really ought to be leading the way rather than being dragged kicking and screaming into compliance with common sense."

The auditors' report did not specifically mention illegal immigration because its focus was on the wider perspective of loopholes or inconsistencies that could be abused by anyone, said Dennis Patterson, spokesman for State Auditor Leslie Merritt Jr.

"The whole issue of illegal immigration was not a focus of the audit," Patterson said.

Auditors recognized that the division has made improvements over the past year or two in tightening its licensing procedures, Patterson said.

But the report criticized DMV's consistency in enforcing its licensing rules, noting that examiners are not double-checked for accuracy before they enter some driving-test or other information into the state database.

Senior examiners also are allowed too much latitude in interpreting state regulations, the auditors suggested. For example, they found some examiners will accept laminated or photocopied versions of identity documents even though DMV regulations require an original or certified document.

In addition, applicants who don't speak English are allowed to bring their own interpreters to help them, the audit report found. So English-only examiners don't know whether interpreters are inappropriately coaching the applicants, the report said.

It suggested DMV cooperate with other state agencies that use interpreters to share their services. It also suggested buying more automated driver-testing machines programmed in four languages besides English.

Secretary of Transportation Lyndo Tippett said the division -- part of the state Department of Transportation that Tippett oversees -- agrees with the report's findings. He said DMV already has cut acceptable identity documents "so that only government documents issued in the United States or validated by the federal government are accepted."

Tippett said the DMV also has begun verifying all Social Security numbers applicants submit to prove identify, deploying face-recognition technology to double-check identity, and adding new features to the license itself to prevent counterfeiting and tampering.

"We recognize that more changes to statutory requirements must be made and we have been working actively with the General Assembly this year on a variety of proposals ... including proof of legal residence, improved documentation of residency and elimination of the use of the ITIN," Tippett said.

The report pointed out, and Tippett agreed, that the Real ID Act that Congress passed this year will eventually clear up some issues the auditors raised. For example, the law eventually will ban states from giving a driver's license to anybody unable to prove they are legally present in this country.

Thanks, Brian.

North Carolina's driver licensing system is ripe for fraud because of lax laws, inadequate equipment, understaffed offices and ineffective supervision, the Office of State Auditor said Wednesday in a new report.

Without mentioning illegal immigration, the report identifies a variety of loopholes and shortcomings in the state Division of Motor Vehicles that have made North Carolina a magnet for license seekers not in this country legally.

Yes, unfortunately this has been going on for years and years and the NC General Assembly has been turning a blind eye to the problem. They don't want to do anything about it because it just might cause problems for the employers who use these illegals. We must protect the sorry employers and those illegals they use, right?

"Having less restrictive requirements appears to encourage individuals from other states to travel to North Carolina to obtain a driver's license," the report said.

No doubt about it!

"The General Assembly and (state) personnel should re-examine the list of acceptable documents," the auditors said.

WOW, this should be really interesting........

Berger said. "We really ought to be leading the way rather than being dragged kicking and screaming into compliance with common sense."

Again, WOW, I couldn't agree more but WAY over due. I'll believe it when I see it.

The auditors' report did not specifically mention illegal immigration because its focus was on the wider perspective of loopholes or inconsistencies that could be abused by anyone, said Dennis Patterson, spokesman for State Auditor Leslie Merritt Jr.

"The whole issue of illegal immigration was not a focus of the audit," Patterson said.

I'm sure it wasn't the point of focus. We must not EVER focus on illegal immigration........they might be offended.....

But the report criticized DMV's consistency in enforcing its licensing rules, noting that examiners are not double-checked for accuracy before they enter some driving-test or other information into the state database.

I would be surprised to learn if it was checked the first time.

Senior examiners also are allowed too much latitude in interpreting state regulations, the auditors suggested. For example, they found some examiners will accept laminated or photocopied versions of identity documents even though DMV regulations require an original or certified document.

I wonder where the state are getting these clowns? Maybe these are rent-a-workers?

In addition, applicants who don't speak English are allowed to bring their own interpreters to help them, the audit report found. So English-only examiners don't know whether interpreters are inappropriately coaching the applicants, the report said.

This is correct. They are allowed to bring someone with them to answer the questions. WOW, am I the only one here sees something wrong with this. IF THIS WASN'T SO SERIOUS, IT WOULD BE FUNNY.

It suggested DMV cooperate with other state agencies that use interpreters to share their services. It also suggested buying more automated driver-testing machines programmed in four languages besides English.

WRONG! I have never seen road signs in NC in anything but good ole English. If they can't read the English test, how are they going to read them English road signs? They going to take their interpreter with them driving??? Give me a break!

Tippett said the DMV also has begun verifying all Social Security numbers applicants submit to prove identify, deploying face-recognition technology to double-check identity, and adding new features to the license itself to prevent counterfeiting and tampering.

WOW, a brilliant idea but 20 years late! Now how about deporting the ones who come in with fake docs?

"We recognize that more changes to statutory requirements must be made and we have been working actively with the General Assembly this year on a variety of proposals ... including proof of legal residence, improved documentation of residency and elimination of the use of the ITIN," Tippett said.

A report was need to figure this out? WOW, this makes me feel secure now........

Tippett said the DMV also has begun verifying all Social Security numbers applicants submit to prove identify, deploying face-recognition technology to double-check identity, and adding new features to the license itself to prevent counterfeiting and tampering.

Do you suppose deportation would be an effective tool here?

Some of our NC General Assembly members need to get a grip and get out of Raleigh for the remaining days of their lives. They are a poor excuse for a representive and member of the legislature not to mention they have blood on their hands because of their failure to do anything about it. I'm thinking of the family that was devastated by the illegal who driving drunk with no license and no insurance in New Hanover County.