Is this going on everywhere and I'm just now hearing about it?
Asked by
chyna (
51598
)
February 28th, 2013
I had to renew my drivers license and they told me that starting in the near future, everyone was going to have to have a special license to be able to get in federal buildings and to be able to fly. The lady wanted to know if I wanted to go ahead and get the new license now, or wait until it was mandatory. Since I had sat at the DMV for an hour with a screaming kid behind me, I went ahead and said yes. They then give you a temporary license and I assume you will get one with a microchip in it at some point.
Is this something that is going on in your state? I haven’t heard about this before. How do you feel about it?
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13 Answers
<shudder> I hadn’t, and I didn’t know. I’m in California.
They’re called enhanced driver’s licenses.
Passports are also being modified.
You may already be getting you license plate scanned on a regular basis.
Considering the development of computers and technology, it seems kind of silly to think that we wouldn’t move in this direction. While the public instantly thinks “big brother”, from a security standpoint I’m sure it’s incredibly helpful and much more efficient.
Sounds like a very nifty way to monitor your citizens. Heck, if you put the equipment on your major roads and freeways you can know where everyone is at any time. Civil liberties? Who needs them.~
Florida doesn’t have them yet.
If it makes it easier to travel, I’m all for it.
Yes, Hawai`i has enhanced driver’s licensing.
I think a lot of people already know where I am if I have my phone with me. I don’t think I care, does anyone have a reason why I should? When I go out for a run, my husband often tracks my progress on the computer. If I stop for too long, he sometimes gives me a call and asks if I have stopped for ice cream. The bad part is, sometimes he is right!
From the Enhanced Driver’s Incense link: This number does not contain any personally identifiable information. Well, if it doesn’t contain any personally identifiable information then how do they know if we’re a good guy or a bad guy?
Maybe that was why the dmv lady was suggesting i update when I was in there for some title nonsense last summer.
I refused, but since my dl is expiring as of next month I guess I will find out. No chance of a sticky on the back then… huh.
US DMV org link.
Specifics
Same as your driver license, with enhanced security features
Currently only available in Washington State, Vermont, Michigan, and New York
Approved for border crossing by land or sea, not by air
What does it cost?
Washington: $15 more than the standard driver license
Vermont: $25 more than the standard driver license
New York: $30 more than the standard driver license
Michigan: $20 more than the standard driver license
@chyna you are so avante garde
So…if I’m a poor terrorist and can’t afford the extra $15 to $30 more for a license, I don’t have to worry about it! :) Yay!
@blueiiznh WV must be a cheap state as there was no additional cost.
I’m pretty sure that it helps with expediting border crossing. That happens everyday for some people in all of those northern border states that @blueiiznh listed.
@chyna I just renewed mine in WV, too, and I think they said there was no cost to do it now, but there may be later. Unfortunately, I had to have a real license in hand immediately, so I couldn’t go the enhanced route and will have to go back later. Ugh.
This inspired me to ask my next question!
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