REAL ID act

Real ID Act - Sam Ettaro joins the discussion

The REAL ID Act of 2005 stipulates that after May 11, 2008, "a Federal agency may not accept, for any official purpose, a driver's license or identification card issued by a State to any person unless the State is meeting the requirements" specified in the REAL ID Act.
The Act includes the following requirements:
A driver's license or identification card must include certain specific information and features.
A driver's license or identification card cannot be issued unless certain specific documentation is presented.
The state must verify all documentation presented with an application.
Driver's licenses or identification cards issued to persons who are present in the United States only temporarily can be valid only for the amount of time for which the persons are authorized to be in the United States.
Controls and processes must be established to ensure the security of the issuance process.
Each state must maintain a motor vehicle database and provide all other states with electronic access to the database.
The REAL ID Act also stipulates that the technology incorporated into the driver's license or identification card must meet the following requirements:
It must support physical security features designed to prevent tampering, counterfeiting, or duplication of the credential for fraudulent purposes.
It must be a common, machine-readable technology, with defined minimum data elements.
The Department of Homeland Security has the authority to issue regulations and set standards for compliance with the REAL ID Act.
Smart Card Technology and Identity Applications
Smart card technology is currently recognized as the most appropriate technology for identity applications that must meet certain critical security requirements, including:
Authenticating the bearer of an identity credential when used in conjunction with personal identification numbers (PINs) or biometric technologies