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Monday, April 19, 2010 | 6:16 p.m.
Faced with stiff public opposition, the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles has withdrawn a proposal to immediately require motorists to get a new type of driver's license. Instead, the DMV will give motorists the option of either continuing with their current licenses or obtaining a license that complies with the federal "Real ID" act.
Assemblyman Marcus Conklin, chairman of the Legislative Subcommittee to Review Regulations, said there was considerable opposition to requiring all to obtain the new licenses. The issue has brought together "strange bedfellows," including more than 75 people in Las Vegas and Carson City ready to oppose the proposed regulations.
Congress Passed the law in 2005 to require the new driver's license and individuals would have to submit additional proof of identity to qualify. The DMV has spent $788,390 in state highway funds and $1.4 million in federal grants to develop the card.
Rebecca Gasca, public advocate for the ACLU, told the subcommittee that 16 states have rejected the federal plan. She expressed concern that the new licenses would not protect privacy.
John Wagner, chairman of the conservative Nevada Independent American Party, called the proposed license an affront to civil liberties.
Pro gun groups have expressed concern that Real ID license could be used as a quasi-national gun registry.
Edgar Roberts, director of the motor vehicle department, said he will have a new proposed regulation out soon and give three days notice for a public hearing on the revised rule. Roberts said 46,000 motorists have asked for the advanced regulation. And he said it would cost $410,000 to return to the old system only.
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The latest guy to cook up some ricin lived in a weekly suite unit. What good is "proof of address" - just move into a flop house for a week.
I'm confused. It says one would need additional proof of identity. Well, I recently moved and filled out a form and mailed it in to the DMV, figuring I'd get one of those stickers you put on the back of your old license. Instead, they sent me a new one, and from everyone can tell, it's one of the "Real" IDs. They never asked for proof or anything else. They didn't even confiscate my old license; their letter said I should destroy the old one. Anyone else feel more secure?
Teaser you are full of crap.
what are the purpose of the comments above? educated in nevada?
I HAVE been to the DMV recently. What a pain for anyone college age, you have to show birth certificate, social security card, and proof of residency which most college aged individuals do not have. I spent a good two weeks traveling between the social security office and dmv. If you have ever been married or divorced you must show proof of name change even if it was 35 years ago. You must show marriage/divorce/ death certificates. to prove residency you must have a bill in your name/voter registration and/or pay a notary after they view a school record. pain in the arse!
Yes wakeup it was horrible!! I was married over 15 years ago, divorced for over 10 - I had to go find all that stuff, ugh.. what a pain!!
Honestly, when I get it renewed, if I have the option I'll go with the Real ID - better than having to go back!
Teaser, you're full of it. My new id (I moved also) doesn't have the "Real ID" on it, it still expires the same time my old one did too.
to all that complain
TOO BAD
we need this to get rid of the illegals, just deal with it.
Funny that Governor Gibbons embraced the REAL ID act as not being intrusive and a shift to Big Government. I guess he couldn't milk it for free press.
Webslinger, if the government wanted to get rid of illegals, they would deport every single person that is in the country illegally when they are arrested or pulled over. Word would circulate quickly that the U.S. has harsh laws & soon it wouldn't be worth the hassle. To those who say 'it's all about security'...if that is true, then why do they break the 'chain of custody' & mail the ID to us during the biggest foreclosure crisis Nevada has seen? They have no idea who will get the ID from the mailbox.. & they have 30 days to send it. If it was about security,as soon as a person proves who they are, in person, to their face, the ID would be given to them immediately, in person.That would satisfy the 'chain of custody'. They now use 'face recognition' & have a 7 man team inside DMV to make arrests. It sounds to me like several private companies are making a fortune from government contracts. Also, if the meeting yesterday is about whether to implement REAL ID or not, why has money already been spent? Who authorized the grants? Sounds like a lawsuit to me!
Did you also know that the DMV REQUIRES you to inform them when you move out of State! When I moved to Nevada and got a DL, they confiscated my IL license. And IL didn't give a crap that I moved either. But NV requires you to TELL them if you move out of State. Why??
...And there was an article a couple weeks ago of Carson City "studying" cutting back DMV hours of operation from a 6 to a 4 day work week to save money on the State Budget..
That will be a memorable experience for all involved if it happens, especially during the summertime ,I'm sure the expedience will be amazing..lol..
Teaser, the simple way to determine if your driver's license is an Advanced Secure Issuance (ASI) card is that is has a gold star in the upper right corner.
Based on the new requirements for verifying your identity, it seems unlikely you received the new ASI "star card" in the mail without first going to the DMV and going through their process.
David1961, unfortunately the state government has determined that cutting back hours and staff at the DMV will save a few million dollars. While good for the state budget, it leaves hundreds of driver's license applicants stuck waiting in long lines and hinders the DMV doing its job.
An ASI card is not requires for federal purposes (ie. boarding an airplane, entering a federal building) until 2014/2017 depending on your age. If you don't need a new license now, holding off a few months to a few years might be better for everyone.