More Secure Driver's Licenses

Secure state-issued identification is a nationwide effort to establish minimum performance standards to improve the integrity and security of state-issued driver's licenses and identification cards, while retaining states' flexibility to meet and exceed the standards as they are incorporated into each state's unique operations. The goals of this effort are to reduce identity theft, make it more difficult for criminals to obtain fraudulent identities, and to help fight terrorism.

The 9/11 Commission recommended that the U.S. improve its system for issuing identification documents, urging the federal government to set standards for the issuance of sources of identification. In 2005, Congress passed a law implementing the Commission’s recommendations – a law that included several provisions of the Drivers' License Compact, a voluntary state standard endorsed by more than 45 states.

Key measures that increase the level of assurance for a document include the following:

• information and security features that must be incorporated into each card
• documentation and verification of an applicant’s identity, date of birth, social security number, and legal presence in the United States
• checks to ensure that an individual does not hold multiple driver’s licenses in other states, and
• minimum security standards for issuance of licenses and identification cards

Why We Need More Secure Driver's Licenses

Raising the standards of state-issued identification is an important step toward enhancing national security. Because a driver's license serves so many purposes (access to federal buildings, nuclear power plants, boarding aircraft, etc.), criminals and terrorists actively seek fraudulent state-issued identification. States that implement measures to increase their documents' security make it more difficult for criminals to obtain these documents, while making it easier for law enforcement to detect falsified documents. While many states have invested in improvements to their driver's licenses and licensing processes, the lack of minimum performance standards have made it possible for criminals and terrorists to exploit jurisdictions where standards are lower and fraud is easier to commit. That is why the 9/11 Commission recommended that the federal government issue minimum performance standards that all states could measure themselves against.