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Comment by Alex3917 | Hacker News Reader

> it seems like an appropriate solution would be to allow individuals to release their DMV information to DHS at the time they apply

What exactly does the DHS need from the DMV for implementing TPP that they don't need for issuing enhanced drivers licenses that are REAL ID compliant? The whole pretext doesn't even make sense.

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> What exactly does the DHS need from the DMV for implementing TPP that they don't need for issuing enhanced drivers licenses that are REAL ID compliant?

DHS doesn't issue REAL ID compliant driver's licenses. States do. The States have to comply with certain minimum standards for issuance, but that does not require States to vet each individual applicant with DHS.

A REAL ID is simply a verifiable ID. The trusted traveler programs verify your ID, but also do a deep background check to determine if you are trustworthy to transit the border without inspection. I expect they may be looking up people’s driving records to look for DUI’s, hit-and-runs, etc.

Access to driving records is not required for things such as DUI's and hit-and-runs. These are criminal offenses and as such are available through the same record searches used to determine if you have been convicted of grand larceny, murder, etc.

New York State doesn’t do REAL ID unless you want a combined license/passport document for travel to Canada.

They will have to. They probably have a temporary exemption until october, after that any resident that wants to fly will need a realid.

Right. In New York, unlike most states, REAL ID is both optional, and not offered unless you go out of your way to get it.

You can still get a "normal" driver's license without any rigmarole. And that's fine with me. I have no reason to convert to a "REAL ID"

(I already have to carry a passport for international travel, why do I need a "special" driver's license to satisfy the feds?)

> REAL ID is both optional,

While this is true,

> and not offered unless you go out of your way to get it.

this is not.

I live in NYS and just renewed my license. The REAL ID requirements were very prominent, and it wasn't immediately obvious if it was possible to renew my license without making it REAL ID.

They also offered a step above that, which I think was just called "Enhanced," which would allow me to leave my passport at home if I were going to Canada, but I travel to Canada less than I travel to Europe (and neither one frequently), so I didn't see the point in paying extra $$ for that.

> why do I need a "special" driver's license to satisfy the feds?

Ultimately, because they say so. I'm genuinely curious: are you going to fly domestically with a passport after September? I'm not saying the government should have done REAL ID, but given that they seem intent on it I'm wondering what your plan is. For me, the reason to convert to a REAL ID is so that I can get on planes in the US. I had the option to go with a regular license, but that would have been inconvenient since I would have needed other ID to get on a plane, even for a domestic flight. Again, I'm not defending the government, just really curious what your plan is. Is it a protest?

I've been flying with a passport my entire adult life. In fact, I carry the passport with me everywhere and use it for other identification needs as well (e.g. buying beer, getting my tickets from will call, etc). I appreciate that the passport lists only my name, birth date, and place of birth whereas my driver's license includes my address, gender, height, weight, and eye color. Places that have technology to scan driver's licenses are almost never able to scan my passport, making for that many fewer databases my presence is indelibly recorded in. Ever since my state started using facial recognition technology on their IDs I've asked to have my driver's license made without a photo, so I can't even use it as an ID card if I wanted to.

Nowadays you can get a "passport card" which has the exact same form factor as a drivers license and can be used the same way as an "enhanced real id" for domestic flights or travel to/from Canada and Mexico.

If you fly often, consider getting global entry if you are eligible. The card they give is a realid compliant federal id and can be used to board a plane.

I've had that card rejected, unlike the passport card.

Renew your U.S. Passport and tick the extra box to get the land border passport card too.

It's a piece of plastic same size as a DL, a federal ID, and works for air travel. Usable for ID everywhere a state DL is as well as everywhere a federal ID is required.

I’m not sure if I’m misunderstanding, but you will need a Real ID to board domestic flights as well.

Passport is fine. Some people can also use global entry card as a realid.

You can use a passport just fine to get onto a domestic flight too.

No, they are actively pushing it for new licenses and renewals.

No. They do. I have one.

If NY law was/is blocking DHS from accessing the databases Real ID creates that feds are supposed to have access to, that should be grounds to stop any future TTP/GE patrons and should as well bar any current users of those services.

That being said, i think it's a great thing and i totally disagree with states mandating facial ID databases that the feds have access to. The database they should possibly get access to is for passports imo.

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