REAL ID is a nationwide effort to improve the integrity and security of state-issued driver's licenses and identification cards, which in turn will help fight terrorism and reduce fraud. The REAL ID Act sets minimum standards for the creation and issuance of the documents by motor vehicle agencies.
Current Status
Verification Hub
Implementation Plans
Frequently Asked Questions
AAMVA Partners
Current Status
Senate Unlikely to Enact PASS ID Prior to REAL ID Deadline
The Senate is not likely to enact PASS ID before Dec. 31, 2009 according to statements made when Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Napolitano testified at a recent hearing. On December 3, Congressional Quarterly reported that DHS said it could grant a REAL ID extension beyond the December 31st material compliance deadline if absolutely necessary.
“Should Congress not act before it adjourns this year, DHS has planned for contingencies related to Real ID implementation, including extending the deadline as a last resort,” the statement said. “This is a temporary approach that does not advance our security interests over the long term, and DHS continues to urge Congress to enact a permanent solution to fulfill this key 9/11 Commission recommendation.”
DHS Extends Compliance Date for REAL ID
Pursuant to the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS's) REAL ID regulations, states seeking an extension of the date by which they must begin to comply with REAL ID requirements currently must submit a request for extension by Oct. 11, 2009. This final rule changes that date to Dec. 1, 2009. This rule is effective Sept. 28, 2009. View details in the Sept. 28, 2009 Federal Register.
Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Marks Up PASS ID
On July 29th, the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee passed out of committee Senate Bill 1261 – Providing for Additional Security States’ Identification (PASS ID) Act of 2009. Committee leadership voiced concerns over some of the discarded requirements of Real ID and the Committee agreed to two amendments by voice vote before giving the proposal its approval. AAMVA has issued a legislative alert detailing the amendments to the legislation.
Senate Holds Hearing on PASS ID
On July 15, the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs held a hearing on the proposed PASS ID legislation. The first panel witnesses were DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano and Governor Jim Douglas (VT) who is the incoming Chair of the National Governors Association (NGA). The second panel included David Quam from NGA along with privacy, law enforcement, and security advocates. Much of the testimony and the questions that followed focused on the differences between REAL ID and PASS ID. Many framed the discussion that PASS ID is needed as a "fix" to REAL ID and maintained that even if the intent of REAL ID was valid, the reality is that it is not being implemented. Both Secretary Napolitano and Governor Douglas (on behalf of the nation's governors) expressed their full support for PASS ID and urged the committee to move quickly on it in light of the looming December 31 deadlines related to REAL ID compliance. For more information, read the entire legislative alert regarding this hearing.
AAMVA Issues Statement on PASS ID
Arlington, VA--Today [June 22, 2009], the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA) issued the following statement concerning the U.S. Senate’s recently-introduced PASS ID bill.
"The introduction of PASS ID in the U.S. Senate illustrates that lawmakers recognize the implementation challenges with the current law and are open to workable solutions. This is a significant and positive step towards enabling states to comply with federal standards for secure driver’s licenses while maintaining state flexibility and reducing the costs for implementation. Motor vehicle agencies have a demonstrated history of improving the integrity and security of driver's licenses and identification cards and AAMVA looks forward to working with both Congress and the Administration to help state motor vehicle agencies implement a practical solution."
New Legislation Will Amend REAL ID
On June 15, 2009, the "Providing for Additional Security in States' Identification Act of 2009" (PASS ID) was introduced in the United States Senate. This legislation amends the REAL ID Act to enhance the security and integrity of driver’s licenses and identification cards (DL/IDs) while offering flexibility for states and reducing the costs of implementation. Since its enactment in 2005, states have maintained that the timelines and requirements of REAL ID are unrealistic and that the costs of complying with the act far outweigh existing sources of funding. This legislative proposal is the result of a collaboration led by the National Governors Association (NGA) to address the major privacy and cost concerns that would allow all states to participate in a secure DL/ID system. Significant differences between REAL ID and PASS ID include eliminating fees for using existing federally run databases to issue DL/IDs, using the SAVE and SSOLV systems but eliminating the development of new data systems, strengthening privacy protections by requiring procedures to prevent the unauthorized access to or sharing of information. More information on the Senate legislation will soon be posted to the AAMVA Website.
Verification Hub
AAMVA has been working with the REAL ID Verification Systems Working Group to develop an evaluation framework for assessing architectures for the State-to-State verification requirement.
Verification hub information and updates
Implementation Plans
2008 Year End State Status | 2007 Year End State Status
Florida
The Florida legislature enacted several law changes affecting its driver's licenses this year. Some highlights are included here. Most of these changes are to prepare Florida for Real ID implementation by January 2010.
REAL ID Frequently Asked Questions
AAMVA has pulled together frequently asked questions (FAQs) about REAL ID and placed them in a searchable database for AAMVA members. These questions are from jurisdictions and the answers have been supplied by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
This online tool allows you to do the following:
- search by Topic/Section of the Rule
- search using free text
- run reports.
A user guide and tutorial are also available online.
Note: This database is available to AAMVA members only.
AAMVA Partners