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Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Ind. Gov't. - Governor Daniels eases, somewhat, new BMV license ID requirements

Responding, perhaps, to complaints such as this letter, quoted in an ILB entry headed "Making Hoosier women jump through hoops to drive, vote is unfair, " Governor Daniels announced this morning that he is easing the proposed new BMV license ID requirements.

Here is the press release, issued this morning:

INDIANAPOLIS (August 12, 2009) -- Governor Mitch Daniels announced today that Hoosiers will have more flexibility to obtain a federally compliant driver’s license or identification card at the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) beginning next year. States are required to begin issuing compliant cards in January 2010, and the federal government has mandated that states complete their compliance by the end of 2016.

“We encourage citizens to obtain a SecureID license when it is time to renew, but we’re giving everyone the full six-year period in order to maximize convenience. Our BMV is now nationally-recognized for its short visit times and friendly customer service, and we intend to keep it that way,” said Daniels.

The BMV announced last month that beginning in January 2010, all Hoosiers who renew, amend, or apply for a new driver’s license or ID card would be required to obtain the new, federally compliant license or ID card.

But following customer feedback, the governor decided to make the change optional for current holders of an Indiana driver’s license or ID card. To obtain the new compliant card, one must provide documents that verify identity, lawful status, social security number and residency. Or current holders of an Indiana driver’s license or ID card may choose to obtain a non-compliant card without presenting the additional documentation.

Without a compliant ID or license, boarding aircraft or entering certain federal buildings will be prohibited; however, the federal government will likely not enforce those restrictions until 2016. Customers can return to the BMV to obtain a compliant card at any time.

There will be no option for new Indiana license and ID customers. They will be required to obtain a federally compliant card and provide documentation of identity, lawful status, social security, and residency documentation beginning in January.

Some Hoosiers also have said they are concerned they will not be able to produce the documents needed for the compliant card; the governor said that in some cases, the BMV will accept alternate documents. For example, some citizens were not issued a birth certificate, so the BMV may accept other documents such as church, hospital or school records.

Daniels said the state will implement centralized issuance of cards beginning in 2010 to reduce fraud and identity theft. The BMV will use its new facial recognition technology to check photos against its entire database to stop individuals from securing multiple driver’s licenses and will mail them to customers within 10 days.

Twenty-five other states already have adopted the central issuance procedure or are enacting it this year.

[More] See this story by the Indianapolis Star's Mary Beth Schneider.

Posted by Marcia Oddi on August 12, 2009 10:39 AM
Posted to Indiana Government