The issuance of driver cards and driver card instruction permits by the Department of Transportation, requiring the exercise of rule-making authority, and making an appropriation

After DOT provides this notice and these provisions of REAL ID become effective, they will require DOT to significantly modify its process for issuing operator's licenses and identification cards and DOT cannot issue or renew an operator's license or identification card unless the applicant provides, and DOT verifies, all of the following information: 1) an identification document that includes either the applicant's photograph or both the applicant's full legal name and date of birth; 2) d ocumentation showing the applicant's date of birth; 3) p

roof of the applicant's social security number or verification that the applicant is not eligible for a social security number; 4)

documentation showing the applicant's name and address of principal residence; and 5) valid documentary proof that the individual is a citizen or national of the United States or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent or temporary residence in the United States or has any of other specified forms of legal status or authorization.

In processing the application, DOT must verify each document provided and must capture a digital image of each document, which must be retained for at least ten years.

For certain legally present noncitizen applicants, DOT must issue operator's licenses or identification cards displaying, on the front of the license or card, a legend identifying the license or identification card as temporary. These licenses and identification cards

must expire on the date that the person's legal presence in the United States is no longer authorized or, if there is no end date for the person's authorized legal presence, one year after the date of license or identification card issuance. These licenses and identification cards cannot

be renewed unless the applicant provides documentary proof showing that Homeland Security extended the status by which the applicant qualified for the license or identification card.

This bill requires DOT to issue "driver cards," authorizing only the operation of "Class D" vehicles (generally automobiles and light-duty trucks), to applicants who: 1) are at least 18 years old or have held a driver card instruction permit for at least six months; 2) meet the knowledge and driving skills testing requirements applicable for issuance of operator's licenses for "Class D" vehicles; 3) provide proof of identity; 4) provide proof that they have been Wisconsin residents for at least six months; 5) are unable to provide the documentary proof (as established under 2005 Wisconsin Act 126 and as established under 2007 Wisconsin Act 20 after implementation of REAL ID) that they are either United States citizens or legally present in the United States; 6) provide valid individual taxpayer identification numbers; and 7) are not eligible for social security numbers. The document storage and verification requirements imposed for operator's license applicants after the implementation of REAL ID may not be imposed for driver card applicants. Unlike other operator's license applicants between the ages of 18 and 26, DOT does not forward a driver card applicant's information to the selective service system.

Driver cards must be labeled as such and must clearly state on their face that they may not be accepted by any federal agency for federal identification or any other official purpose. Driver cards must also have a unique design or color indicator that clearly distinguishes them from other operator's licenses or identification cards issued by DOT and that alerts federal authorities that they are not REAL ID compliant. A driver card is issued for a two-year period and must be renewed every two years thereafter. The fee for issuance and renewal of a driver card is the same as that applicable to other operator's licenses, although the valid period is shorter.

DOT must also issue driver card instruction permits to persons who are at least 15 and one-half years old, who have passed any knowledge test required by DOT, and who, except for age or lack of training, are qualified to obtain a driver card. The operating restrictions for driver card instruction permits are similar to those applicable to other instruction permits.

DOT must promulgate rules specifying the standards for the issuance of driver cards and driver card instruction permits, including standards for proof of residency and proof of identification.

A law enforcement officer, state agent, or local authority may not use a driver card or driver card instruction permit as a basis to inquire about the immigration status of an individual who lawfully presents the driver card or driver card instruction permit for its intended purpose. An insurer may not cancel or refuse to issue or renew an automobile insurance policy because the person has been issued a driver card or driver card instruction permit.