Drivetime Mahatma

Real ID's complexity limits sites

Dear Mahatma: Why is it necessary for me to drive over 30 miles to get an enhanced driver's license when there is a Revenue Office within a few blocks of my home? -- Newport

Dear Newport: We tossed this to Scott Hardin, state Department of Finance & Administration spokesman and a frequent presence in this column because of the continued conversation about the voluntary enhanced security license.

The new licenses are mandated by The Real ID Act of 2005, passed by Congress as part of security reforms generated after the 9/11 terror attacks.

On Oct. 1, 2020, a Real ID will be required to enter a federal building or board a commercial airliner. Think about this, folks. It would be a booger to get to the airport for a vacation and be denied boarding. Our spouse would add this to the long list of high crimes and misdemeanors for which we will never be forgiven. Our life would be a living heck.

The state has 25 Revenue Offices at which the enhanced licenses are issued. Our estimation is the nearest to Newport are in Searcy or Batesville.

Hardin explained that the 25 Revenue Offices were selected to provide the majority of Arkansans with easy access. We translate that to mean: "Where most folks live."

Other factors are in play, he said.

DF&A had to install additional cameras in those 25 offices, which are monitored by trained security officers. Safes were installed to secure information and inventory.

Personally identifiable information is safeguarded by "covered employees" and immediately scanned into the system. "Covered employees" are employees who have passed both state and federal background checks and are trained on fraudulent document detection.

Not all Revenue Offices could accommodate the additional cameras and safes, plus these compensating security features required additional money with no additional funds provided through the state budget, Hardin said.

Another of our faithful readers told us of his experience, which wasn't easy because his name was not exactly the same on all the documents he provided.

"Because I have always gone by my middle name, I had documents that had my first initial and middle name, two initials, middle name only, first name only, first name and middle initial, full name ...

"Even with photo ID and passport in hand, I was refused the enhanced license until I returned with ALL documents reading exactly the same way. It wasn't easy and required making a few changes at the Social Security Administration, Revenue Office and county courthouse -- but I succeeded!"

To repeat: To get an enhanced license, Arkansans must have 1. Passport or birth certificate. 2. Two proof of address documents. Those may include utility bills or bank statements. 3. Social Security card.

The individual's name must be the same across all documents.

Next week: Lili Von Shtupp again.

Fjfellone@gmail.com

Metro on 10/07/2017

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