By Calvin Biesecker
Making it even more palatable for states to voluntarily comply with federal guidelines for issuing more secure drivers’ licenses, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is providing another $48.5 million in grant funding that individual states can compete for to help them meet the requirements of REAL ID, DHS said yesterday.
The new money is on top of $31.3 million already available for the REAL ID Demonstration Grant Program. Applications for the grants were originally due this week but after Congress appropriated the additional $48.5 million last month DHS decided to extend the application deadline until March 7.
Even though compliance with REAL ID is voluntary, citizens of states that don’t let DHS know they plan to comply will find it more onerous to board a commercial plane or enter a federal facility beginning this spring.
That’s because in May if United States citizens or persons in the country legally don’t have REAL ID compliant drivers’ licenses or licenses from states that are in the process of becoming compliant, they will need other forms of documentation such as a U.S. passport or a Pass Card to access federal buildings and commercial planes.
To achieve REAL ID compliance, drivers’ licenses will need to have certain physical security features such a facial photo and tamper proof technology, such as a hologram.
In addition, state motor vehicle departments must be able to check the legal status of a license applicant, be able to authenticate any source documents, and have security features in place to protect the integrity of the license issuance process.