Several States Challenge National Driver's Licence Laws

A revolt that started in Maine last month is spreading swiftly across the entire USA. A revolt against the a National Driver's Licence began last month and was overwhelmingly passed. The Main legislature on 26th January passed a resolution objecting to the Real ID Act of 2005 and this is swiftly spreading to other states across the US. Within one week of the Maine legislature being passed, lawmakers in New Mexico, Vermont, Montana, Wyoming, Georgia and Washington also began to revolt against the real ID Act of 2005.

These new states are considering on passing laws or to adopt new resolutions which would decline the participation of the Federal Identification Network. This federal law sets a national standard for drier's licences and required that all states link their systems to national data base. This would ensure that record-keeping would be completely up-to date across the US.

States are expected to comply by May 2008 and any state that does not, driver's licences will not match up to the standard set out in the Real ID as outlined by the new law. This, in turn, means that driver's licences can not be used to enter a Federal Building, to open a bank account or to board an airplane. The supporters of the National Driver's Licence resolution say that it is necessary to prevent illegal immigrants and terrorists from ataining false identification cards.

Missouri state Rep., James Guest, a Republican, has formed a coalition of lawmakers from the 34 states to file bills which will oppose the Real ID. Guest said at an interview on Saturday; "this is almost a front assault on the freedoms of America when they require that we carry a National ID to monitor where we are", he continued, "That's going too far." Most states have decided to oppose the law however there are a few that wish to comply. These include Maryland and Indiana.

A Lawyer with the American Civil Liberties Union Barry Steinhardt said, "the real ID ordered by Congress would require a digital photo and a fingerprint on each driver's licence or state-issued ID card." He continued, "It's going to be a honey pot out there that's going to be irresistible to identity thieves." There are many other criticisms about the introduction of a National ID which the government will have to take very seriously. The reaction to this new legislation has been a real eye-opener for the Government.