Issuance of motor vehicle operator's licenses and identification cards by the Department of Transportation. (FE)

However, in processing an application for a REAL ID noncompliant driver's license or identification card, DOT is not required to meet the standards for document retention and verification that are imposed for REAL ID compliant products.

Under this bill, an applicant for a REAL ID noncompliant driver's license or identification card is not required to provide documentary proof that the applicant is a U.S. citizen or is otherwise lawfully present in the United States. If the applicant does not have a social security number, the applicant is required to provide verification only that he or she does not have one, rather than verification that he or she is not eligible for one. In processing an application for, and issuing or renewing, a REAL ID noncompliant driver's license or identification card, DOT may not include any question or require any proof or documentation as to whether the applicant is a U.S. citizen or is otherwise lawfully present in the United States. The bill does not change any current law requirements related to driver qualifications such as minimum age or successful completion of knowledge and driving skills tests.

Under current law, most driver's licenses issued by DOT are issued for an initial two-year period and must be renewed every eight years thereafter. In general, an applicant for renewal of a driver's license must pass an eyesight test and have his or her photograph taken with each renewal. Most identification cards issued by DOT are issued for an initial period of eight years and are renewable for eight-year periods thereafter. In general, applicants for renewal of an identification card must have their photograph taken with each renewal.

Under this bill, an applicant for a REAL ID noncompliant driver's license or identification card who does not provide a social security number is issued a driver's license or identification card that displays, on its face, the words "Not valid for voting purposes" and that has a two-year renewal period rather than an eight-year renewal period. The initial period for such an identification card under the bill is also two years. With each renewal, DOT has discretion whether or not to take a new photograph, and, for a driver's license, give an eyesight test, as long as a new photograph is taken, and, for a driver's license, an eyesight test is given, at least once every eight years. If DOT issues a REAL ID noncompliant driver's license to an applicant who does not provide a social security number, the applicant must, no later than 30 days after initial issuance of the license and each license renewal, provide to DOT proof of motor vehicle liability insurance coverage for each motor vehicle owned or leased by the applicant. If proof is required and the applicant fails to timely provide such proof, DOT must suspend the applicant's operating privilege until proof is provided.

With limited exceptions, DOT may not disclose social security numbers obtained from operator's license or identification card applicants. This bill prohibits DOT from disclosing the fact that an applicant has verified to DOT that the applicant does not have a social security number, except that DOT may disclose this information to the Government Accountability Board.