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Thursday, August 13, 2009

Ind. Gov't. - Still more on: Governor Daniels eases, somewhat, new BMV license ID requirements

Here are stories today from:

The Evansville Courier & Press - Eric Bradner reports:

Citing negative backlash after stringent new rules requiring several documents such as birth certificates, Social Security cards and more were announced earlier this year, the state's Bureau of Motor Vehicles will ease those requirements by making the new rules optional and giving motorists extra time to get their documents in order, Gov. Mitch Daniels said Wednesday.

Starting in 2010, the state will issue two types of licenses, but it still encourages providing the added documentation that proves their identities, lawful status, Social Security numbers and Indiana residence to get a federally compliant ID.

The federal government will begin mandating those IDs in order to board airplanes and enter some federal buildings in 2016. Those who need federally compliant IDs can provide the documentation to receive them any time between now and 2016, rather than on their next license branch visit as originally planned.

Or, Hoosiers can renew their current licenses without providing any of that added documentation. The IDs won't be federally compliant, but they will meet Indiana's requirements for licensed drivers. * * *

Those seeking a new driver's license, such as first-time drivers and those who have moved to Indiana from another state, still will have to meet the added documentation requirements. * * *

The BMV still will use its new facial recognition technology to check photos against its entire database to stop those who seek multiple driver's licenses. Licenses still will be mailed to motorists within 10 days, rather than handed out on the spot.

The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette - Niki Kelly reports:
Daniels said Wednesday that after some internal discussion and customer feedback, the state will allow those renewing driver’s licenses or IDs to obtain a non-compliant card without providing the additional documentation.

A non-compliant card will contain a statement that it is not for federal identification, but it will allow Hoosiers to drive legally and to vote.

This means Hoosiers using such a card as identification would not be able to board aircraft or enter certain federal buildings when the federal government is expected to tighten restrictions starting in 2016.

It is possible, though, that enforcement won’t happen, because there is talk in Washington of repealing the identification rules.

Okay, this is confusing. If you don't provide the additional identification materials when you renew, you will get an Indiana driver's license that has stamped on it "not for federal identification" or "not federally compliant," even though: (1) the feds aren't requiring such identification until 2016, and (2) may not even then because the feds may scale back the Real ID Law (as reported in this Aug. 12th ILB entry).

Posted by Marcia Oddi on August 13, 2009 08:41 AM
Posted to Indiana Government