By Bill Davis, senior editor | Lines at the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles offices are on the precipice of getting unbelievably long, thanks to companion state bills that could force residents to get their driver’s licenses renewed soon.
But if one of those bills doesn’t pass to authorize the new form of identification, it will become harder for residents to check in at airports, even for domestic flights.
The bills, one each in the state House and Senate, would steer South Carolina to be in line with a federal anti-terrorism law passed in 2005 that created a more uniform license called REAL ID.
REAL ID, which should not to be confused with voter ID bills that many see as an obstacle to minority voters, set minimum “standards” for state identification cards.
New standards for identification
One of the standards included a radio chip being implanted in the license, or other form of identification, that would allow an immigration officer to pull up biographical information on people as they approached a border checkpoint, according to the federal Homeland Security agency.
Another requirement would force “enhanced” drivers licenses to be renewed every eight years. Currently, South Carolina is on a 10-year renewal cycle, with an additional five years possible for those who renew through the mail, providing they are under 65 years of age.
The federal law also requires a REAL ID be shown before travelers board planes or attempt to enter a federal building. That means the federal law when fully implemented could force South Carolinians to show a passport even if they are flying domestically.
Extra time to comply
For years, South Carolina resisted the federal law. In January, Homeland Security granted South Carolina a waiver and some extra time to concur with the federal law.
Homeland Security: “State-issued enhanced drivers licenses (EDLs) provide proof of identity and U.S. citizenship, are issued in a secure process, and include technology that makes travel easier. They provide travelers with a low-cost, convenient alternative for entering the United States from Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean through a land or sea port of entry, in addition to serving as a permit to drive.”
House Minority Leader Todd Rutherford (D-Columbia) said this week that he initially voted against REAL ID, but now says, “That was a mistake; it wasn’t as bad as I thought it was,” he said.
Rutherford said that current technology would also allow the state to more permanently capture documents, such as applicants’ Social Security cards, through scanning. Rutherford sees it as a convenience, not an invasion of privacy, because residents wouldn’t have carry multiple forms of identification when doing certain tasks with the state.
House Majority Leader Gary Simrill (R-Rock Hill) said efforts have been made to see if current holders of driver’s licenses could be “grandfathered in” and not have to stand in line and get new cards. So far, the word back from the feds isn’t good.
That could mean millions of South Carolinians having to line up for a new enhanced licenses if the House version or the Senate version were enacted.
Deferred debate
On Thursday, the House deferred further floor debate until the last day of the month, whereas the Senate version still resides in the Transportation Committee.
Simrill also worried about the cost of switching over to the enhanced licenses, which he said could force license holders to pay up to $25 million in fees, not to mention the price of technology upgrades to the state.
Earlier this month, House Speaker Jay Lucas (R-Hartsville) asked Homeland Security to grant an additional waiver of six additional requirements to further reduce the cost on the state and its citizens.
About those lines
DMV agency head Kevin Shwedo attended the House debate Thursday. Beforehand, he said that one option on the table was increased staffing to handle the potential lines.
He said he won’t be sure of his agency’s next move until they find out more from the feds and state government.
Rutherford said another wrinkle in the REAL ID law is that it could further limit illegal immigration in South Carolina, as it would stop anyone here with credentials from, say, hopping a flight to another state or country to visit a sick relative.
South Carolina Appleseed Legal Justice Center Director Sue Berkowitz said the effect on illegal residents would be limited, as they are already barred from holding a state driver’s license. Some states, she said, allow foreign visitors to hold licenses, which in turn, enables them to get car insurance.
But she added that REAL ID could also serve to drive immigrants “further into the shadows of our society.”
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We Can Do Better, South Carolina!
I’m curious why Majority Leader Gary Simrill (R-Rock Hill) assumes that taxpayers should pay higher fees for these licenses? Why shouldn’t the budget cover this for the first few years and phase in increases? In addition, SC residents who recently obtained or renewed their driver’s licenses shouldn’t have to pay to replace them with the REAL ID licenses. It isn’t our fault (or the federal government’s fault) that the SC government refused to comply with this law until the last minute. I’d honestly like to see government officials who dragged their feet on this (even those who are no longer in SC offices) pony up to pay for this, although I’m not holding my breath.
Bill, you need to do a follow up on this story explaining exactly what documents licensed drivers will have to produce to obtain the new license. The laundry list of documents is interesting.
I agree with you Kristen. They have wasted our money and safety because they have dragged their feet for 12 years.