No National ID News

DMV Rethinking New High-Security Licenses  In response to harsh criticism, the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles had gone back to the drawing board on plans for a new high-security driver's license. An emergency regulation on licenses that will comply with the federal Real ID Act expires Friday. The department ran into a barrage of criticism from groups and citizens who said the new driver's license would create a national identification system. In response to harsh criticism, the Department of Motor Vehicles had gone back to the drawing board on plans for a new high-security driver's license. An emergency regulation on licenses that will comply with the federal Real ID Act expires Friday. Because of the delay, the department will not be issuing new licenses to out-of-state motorists on Saturday and Monday. DMV spokesman Tom Jacobs said Nevada motorists will still be able to renew their licenses on those days. The department will hold a public hearing Friday on its new regulation for higher-security licenses. The Legislative Subcommittee on Regulations will convene Monday to decide whether to approve the revised regulations. DMV Director Edgar Roberts hopes the "latest changes satisfy the concerns of legislators and the public alike." He said, "They contain provisions to protect privacy and offer Nevadans a choice of the type of license or ID card they carry." At a public hearing Monday, the department ran into a barrage of criticism from groups and citizens who said the new driver's license would create a national identification system. They were worried that the information would not be kept confidential. So far 46,000 Nevada drivers have asked for the "Real ID" license that makes it easier to get through airport check points and into federal buildings. It requires a person to present additional information such as a birth certificate to gain the new driver's license. As a compromise with critics, the department plans to still issue regular licenses. The department already re-wrote the regulations once before after encountering opposition. Jacobs said the new regulation clarifies there will be two separate licenses—the "Real ID" permit and the traditional driver's license. It is aimed at eliminating the confusion and would be in effect until June 30, 2011 to give the 2011 Legislature a chance to decide if it should be continued. Nevada is only one of three states moving forward with the new license and 16 states have opposed it. Gov. Jim Gibbons signed emergency regulations to allow the department to issue the new "Real ID" licenses but those rules expire Friday.