Bill Whiting never had heard of an enhanced driver's license until Wednesday.



Still, the 20-year-old St. Clair man said he'd think about getting one of the identification cards officials say will make his occasional trips to Canada simpler.

"It would be a lot better than having to wait for a passport," said Whiting, who has visited Canada twice this year.

Michigan's Secretary of State Office announced this week it would offer enhanced driver's licenses for the first time, at a cost of $45.

Washington was the first state to offer the technology.

The licenses are designed to make international land and sea travel easier by allowing border patrol agents easier access to traveler information.

Chief Ron Smith, spokesman for the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, said the cards will save 15 to 30 seconds per car.

He said that may not sound like a lot of time, "but if you are that 3,000th car coming across the bridge, it adds up."

As of June 1, the federal government is enacting more stringent regulations for border crossing, requiring that travelers have a passport or similar identification cards.

Driver's licenses and birth certificates no longer will be enough.

An enhanced driver's license, however, will allow a traveler to return to the country for land and sea travel.

When approaching the border, a traveler holds up the enhanced license to allow a computer to read the information on it, allowing the inspector to access information before a traveler reaches the booth.

The information stored on the card is a randomly generated number that corresponds with the number assigned to people in the customs' computer system, officials said.

A portable read, Smith said, would only get that number, not biographical information. Even so, officials are handing out sleeves with the card that will prevent the information from being read.

Kelly Chesney, spokeswoman for the Secretary of State, said in Washington, 20% of the driving population is expected to get an enhanced license, though there is no expectation yet for Michigan.

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She said there will be a higher percentage in the Blue Water Area given its proximity and interaction with Canada.



"You guys naturally do a lot of cross-border travel there," Chesney said.

Among locals, the reaction to the card is mixed. Many residents didn't even know the cards existed.

Gil Torello of Wadhams said the card is something he will consider because he makes trips across the border.

"I don't want to be monkeying around with a passport," he said.

Many in the area already have passports or NEXUS cards, however, and say an enhanced license isn't necessary.

B.J. Griffith said she and her husband have a cottage in Canada but already have the proper identification to get across the border quickly and lawfully.

Brian Penn of Port Huron said he had never heard of the enhanced license but probably won't get one.

He said he only goes to Canada "when I'm forced to."

"If it is an option, I probably wouldn't get one," he said, "especially if it costs more."

David Whipple of Port Huron said he already has a passport, which gets him across the border more easily.

But, he said, the card is a good option, especially "if you are only going to Canada."

Glen Wood of Port Huron said he already has a passport and NEXUS pass to make his trips two to three times a week to a Canadian casino easier.

But Wood said an enhanced license is also in his future.

"I'll get one of those, too," he said. Asked why, he simply said: "just to have one."


http://www.thetimesherald.com/article/2 ... /904230301