Virginia driver’s license doesn’t meet federal Real ID requirements

The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles will begin issuing a new driver’s license next year to bring the state in compliance with a sweeping federal law that tightens security requirements for state-issued identification.

Virginia is one of several states scrambling to comply with the controversial 2005 domestic security program known as the Real ID Act, which was designed to help prevent terrorist attacks and reduce the number of licenses granted to undocumented immigrants.

The Department of Homeland Security has given Virginia until June 6 to comply with the act. But Virginia officials say the state has been granted an extension through October and anticipate the federal government will give them extra time to fully implement the needed changes.

“We don’t expect this to have any impact on Virginians because we are working toward compliance and in October of 2018, they will be able to get the Real ID compliance ID,” DMV spokeswoman Brandy Brubaker said.

Under the federal law, states are required to issue more secure licenses by requiring applicants to provide proof of identity and legal U.S. residency. States also must use counterfeit-resistant security features on the IDs.

 

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