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REAL ID: Myths & Facts

Myth: REAL ID creates a national identification (ID) card

Fact: REAL ID simply sets minimum standards so that the public can have confidence in the security and integrity of driver’s licenses and identification cards issued by all participating states and jurisdictions.

  • States and jurisdictions will maintain their ability to design and issue their own unique driver’s licenses and identification cards. Each state and jurisdiction will continue to have flexibility with regard to the design and security features used on the card. Where REAL ID details the minimum data elements that must be included on the face of the card, most states and jurisdictions already include all or almost all of these data elements on their cards.
  • REAL ID identification documents will not be the only form of documentation accepted by the federal government or any other entity. You can still present another form of acceptable identification such as a U.S. passport, military ID, or government identification badge. If you do not have another form of acceptable documentation, however, you may experience delays at the airport due to the requirement for additional security screening.

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Myth: REAL ID creates a national database of personal information

Fact: REAL ID requires that authorized DMV officials have the capability to verify that an applicant holds only one valid REAL ID. REAL ID does not grant the Federal Government or law enforcement greater access to DMV data, nor does it create a national database.

  • States will continue to manage and operate databases for driver’s license and identification card issuance.
  • REAL ID does not create a national database or require additional personal information on your driver’s license than is already required by most states. It simply verifies the documents an applicant presents at the DMV to confirm the individual’s identity and ensure that each individual has only one valid REAL ID.
  • Personally identifiable information, beyond the minimum information necessary to appropriately route verification queries, will not be stored.

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Myth: REAL ID will diminish privacy

Fact: The REAL ID final rule calls on states to protect personal identity information. It requires each state to develop a security plan and lists a number of privacy and security elements that must be included in the plan.

  • The DHS Privacy Office has also issued Best Practices for the Protection of Personally Identifiable Information Associated with State Implementation of the Real ID Act, which provides useful guidance to states on how to address the privacy and security of information related to REAL ID.
  • The REAL ID Act will not allow motor vehicle driver’s data to be made available in a manner that does not conform to the Driver’s Privacy Protection Act. Furthermore, with REAL ID, DMV employees will be subject to background checks, a necessary step to protect against insider fraud, just one of the vulnerabilities to a secure licensing system. These steps raise the bar for state DMVs beyond what was previously required.
  • DHS recognizes the importance of protecting privacy and ensuring the security of the personal information associated with implementation of the REAL ID Act.

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Myth: DHS is creating a “hub” in order to gain access to Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) information

Fact: An electronic verification hub will be designed to facilitate connectivity between the states and data owners to ensure that people applying for a REAL ID are who they say they are. The Federal Government will not gain greater access to DMV information as a result. Only authorized DMV officials and law enforcement will have access to DMV records.

  • REAL ID requires state DMVs to verify an applicant’s identity document, date of birth, Social Security Number, residence and lawful status, as well as ensure that each individual has only one valid REAL ID. For example, the electronic verification hub will facilitate the state-to-state exchange of information to check for duplicate registrations in multiple states, therefore limiting the ability for persons to obtain multiple licenses for fraudulent purposes.
  • While DHS has pledged to fund the development and deployment of the hub, states will continue to manage and operate databases for driver’s license and identification card issuance. DHS and the states will work together to ensure that security measures are in place to prevent unauthorized access or use of the information. Personally identifiable information, beyond the minimum information necessary to appropriately route verification queries, will not be stored.

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Myth: REAL ID is an unfunded mandate

Fact: To date, Department of Homeland Security has made available $361.375 million in grants (FY06-FY08) to assist State driver's license issuance authorities with REAL ID implementation:

REAL ID Pilot Project - The Commonwealth of Kentucky received $3 million in Fiscal Year (FY) 2006 to fund a REAL ID Pilot Project. The pilot is being implemented to test and validate birth record verification processes and to develop a common set of standards that states can use during the driver's license issuance process.

REAL ID Vital Events Verification State Project Grant – FEMA awarded Kentucky an additional $4 million to help state Departments of Motor Vehicles (DMVs) connect to state Vital Record Offices (VRO). The Commonwealth of Kentucky will enable state VROs to access to the Electronic Verification of Vital Events hub (a web based portal) to verify birth and death record information of individuals applying for a REAL ID driver's licenses and identification cards. Kentucky will also use these funds to expand the scope of its REAL ID Pilot Project by comparing U.S. foreign born citizens applying for a REAL ID driver's license with the U.S. Department of State's foreign born citizen birth record information.

FY 2008 REAL ID Demonstration Grant Program - FEMA will soon competitively awarded $79.875 million to assist states and territories with implementing REAL ID. The FY 2008 REAL ID Demonstration Grant Program is designed to standardize the way driver's licenses are issued and will help protect citizens against fraud and identity theft. Grant funds will help states enhance the integrity of driver's licenses (DL) and identification documents (ID),improve state issuance capabilities, as well as system security.

State Homeland Security Grant Program (SHSGP) - $274.5 million in State Homeland Security Grant Program (SHSGP) funds (20% of the total SHSGP minus M&A funds) were made available to states for REAL ID (FY07-FY08).

The President's FY 2009 budget also requests up to $110 million for REAL ID grants for States as part of the National Security and Terrorism Prevention Grants, and $40 million in discretionary funds the States could use for REAL ID implementation as part of the State Homeland Security Grant Program.

If the FY 2009 budget request is approved, this would provide $511.375 million in grants (FY06-FY09) to assist State driver's license issuance authorities with REAL ID implementation.

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This page was last reviewed/modified on August 11, 2008.