Dear Mahatma: I need to renew my driver's license next month. After reading an article in the newspaper, I'm not sure what I need to have to get the new, fancy-pants license that will be required in the future. I was simply confused, and hope you can clarify. -- Linda
Dear Linda: You have come to the right place. We specialize in confusion.
The question is especially timely, because the Fabulous Babe, the one who still puts up with us, has to get a new license soon. Because she'll be 39. Heaven forfend we send her to the revenue office and the revenue office sends her home to get another 1,715 documents that prove her identity and also show she's not an ISIS terrorist.
But we exaggerate. We're good at that, too.
One of the dispellers of confusion in these parts is Scott Hardin of the Department of Finance and Administration. He broke it down. We will try to accurately convey his information, but expect to fail.
Pursuant to the aforementioned, here are some facts:
Fact: Nationally, the program for enhanced licenses is known as Real ID.
Fact: Here in Arkansas, where words are cheaper, the program is known as Voluntary Enhanced Security License.
Fact: This is important. Not all of the Revenue Offices issue these licenses. Currently, there are only 25. Please hunt and peck at the finance department's website to find the nearest.
Fact: The cards have been issued in Arkansas since October 2016. The Mahatma went to get a new license in February of this year and was offered one. To which he said: "Huh?" And got a regular license.
Fact: Since issuance started, more than 35,300 such licenses have been given out.
Fact: The cost of the fancy-pants license is the same as a regular one, $40, but will make getting on an airplane a lot easier down the road.
Fact: 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. The idea is to provide better security for people who board commercially operated airline flights. Unlike back on Sept. 11, 2001.
Fact: On Oct. 1, 2020, a Real ID will be required to enter a federal building or board an aircraft -- only three years away.
Fact: Arkansas is one of 25 states currently fully compliant with federal regulations for Real ID.
Fact: To get a Real ID, 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.
Fact: The individual's name must be the same across all documents. If a name changes, perhaps via marriage or divorce, a marriage certificate or divorce decree must be provided.
Fact: All of this information, and more, is provided at the finance department's website and the website of the federal Department of Homeland Security.
Good luck, Linda. We will report back on how it goes for the Fabulous Babe.
Fjfellone@arkansasonline.com
Metro on 09/23/2017