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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.
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.
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.
Fact: A state-owned and -operated "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.
Fact: In December 2008, the Department announced $48.575 million in FY09 grants to improve drivers' license security. From FY06-FY08, the Department made available $361.375 million in grants 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 – The Department of Homeland Security awarded Kentucky an additional $4 million to help state Departments of Motor Vehicles (DMVs) connect to state Vital Record Offices (VROs). The Commonwealth of Kentucky will enable state VROs access to the Electronic Verification of Vital Events hub (a Web-based portal) to verify birth and death record information of individuals applying for 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 - The Department 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).
This page was last reviewed/modified on January 9, 2009.