Secure Driver's Licenses

Preventing terrorists from obtaining state-issued identification documents is critical to securing America against terrorism. As the 9/11 Commission noted, "For terrorists, travel documents are as important as weapons." The 9/11 Commission Report: Final Report of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks upon the United States, at 384 (2004).

Secure driver's licenses and identification documents are a vital component of a holistic national security strategy. Law enforcement must be able to rely on government-issued identification documents and know that the bearer of such a document is who he or she claims to be. Obtaining fraudulent identification documents presents an opportunity for terrorists to board airplanes, rent cars, open bank accounts, or conduct other activities without being detected. The 9/11 Commission recommended that the Federal Government work with other layers of government to solidify the security of government-issued documents. Securing state-issued identification documents is a common-sense national security and law enforcement imperative, which also helps to combat identity fraud and illegal immigration.

Secure Driver’s License Regulations

• REAL ID Act (PDF, 6 pages - 34 KB) 

• REAL ID Privacy Impact Assessment

• Minimum Standards for Driver's Licenses and Identification Cards Acceptable by Federal Agencies for Official Purposes: Final Rule - Change of Compliance Deadline to January 15, 2013

• Minimum Standards for Drivers Licenses and Identification Cards Acceptable by Federal Agencies for Official Purposes: Final Rule

• Comprehensive Regulatory Evaluation of the benefits and costs of the final minimum standards for State-issued drivers' licenses and non-driver identification cards pursuant to the REAL ID Act.