In the last few days of its 2017 session, the Oregon Legislature passed a bill permitting state motor vehicle offices to issue state driver’s licenses and ID cards that conform with the federal Real ID Act of 2005. That law establishes requirements for state IDs that may be used to access certain federal facilities (such as nuclear power plants and military bases) and board federally regulated flights. Security features, such as photos that can be read by facial recognition software, and more rigorous background checks for DMV staff and verification procedures for driver’s license applications and additional documents are among the requirements.

Up to now, Oregon has resisted the Real ID program, citing concerns over cost, privacy and ceding authority to the federal government. In 2009 the Legislature passed a law prohibiting progress on implementing the program unless federal funds were provided.  The new bill allows the state to charge higher application fees to those who want federally compliant licenses. Drivers would need to provide documentation proving identity, residency, lawful status, Social Security number and date of birth.

Oregon has received three federal extensions since the law went into effect, giving it time to provide compliant ID to its citizens. The final extension expired in June, and the state is now in a grace period until this Monday. The hope is that, because this bill has passed, the federal government will take it as a serious commitment and will issue another extension. Without that extension, as of Jan. 22, 2018, an Oregon driver’s license will not be sufficient to pass through TSA screening; travelers will need to provide a valid passport or other acceptable identification to board a flight. Officials estimate that come that day without the extension, chaos could reign at PDX and other Oregon airports

Even with the passage of this bill, it’s going to take some time before residents can apply for the Real ID-compliant licenses. The Oregon Department of Transportation estimates it could have them ready by July 2020 at the earliest! The ODOT doesn’t have a clear idea how much it will cost to implement the program and therefore no clear idea how much one would have to pay for the enhanced identification. It is also unclear how much time it would take to scan in the required documentation and cross-check applicants with federal databases or how many additional employees would need to be hired to handle the work.

Just this past week, I had to go to our local Department of Motor Vehicles to renew my driver’s license. On a quiet afternoon, it took me about 10 minutes to fill out a brief renewal form (on which I had to provide my Social Security number but did not have to show my actual card), hand over my current license, take a vision test and have my picture taken. Quick and easy, but I did wonder at how secure (or not) the process was. For now, I’m hoping the feds will grant another extension to avoid major confusion at the airports come January.

— Patty Vanikiotis, associate editor/copy editor