Published: 01.11.2007
ID law could mean more hurdles, longer waits at MVD offices
PAUL DAVENPORT
The Associated Press
PHOENIX - Arizona and other states are still waiting for details on a looming federal identification requirement for driver's licenses, but early indications are that it could pose new hurdles for the public.
That has state officials wondering what changes they need to make and at what cost for Arizona taxpayers. Meanwhile, lawmakers hope their constituents don't get blind-sided.
The federal Real ID Act, a homeland security law enacted in 2005 in response to the Sept. 11 attacks, imposes a May 11, 2008, deadline for states to adopt common, more stringent security features for driver's licenses and non-driver identification cards.
The hammer is that states must comply in order for their driver's licenses to be honored for airport-security purposes.
But the federal government is still working on rules to spell out what's required, state Transportation Director Victor Mendez said Thursday.
"The tight time frame doesn't really work, especially if there's a technology being required that we don't know what it is yet," he said.
Mendez said possible impacts include a requirement that drivers with multiyear licenses have to renew them more often - something that would increase foot traffic in Motor Vehicle Division offices.
Longer wait times also are expected in other states. In Iowa, the state Department of Transportation has said it will need more workers to verify identifies, while Nevada has warned that motorists will have to appear in person and submit additional documentation to renew licenses.
"There's been talk about biometrics or other technology to ensure that Victor is the person at the counter," Mendez said, using himself as an example. "It's a laudable goal. The question is how do we get there and what are the trade-offs."
Citing potential impact on the driving public, state Rep. John Nelson asked Mendez during a committee hearing to keep lawmakers apprised as implementation plans develop.
Nelson, R-Litchfield Park, said he's worried that people will go to MVD offices to get or renew licenses at the last minute, only to learn of tougher new identification requirements that might require getting documents from other states.
Unless there's plenty of communication, "we're going to have some problems," he said.
Mendez noted that the federal government did not provide money to implement the requirement. "We believe it's going to be pretty significant from the taxpayer standpoint for us to be able to get there," he said.
A legislative budget document said the Department of Transportation has estimated first-year implementation costs at $56 million, but Mendez said the cost may be higher. Lawmakers are now starting work on the state budget for the fiscal year that encompasses the May 11, 2008, implementation deadline.
A national survey conducted last year by the National Conference of State Legislatures and other organizations estimated it would cost $11 billion to implement the law.
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