The REAL ID Act of 2005 is U.S. federal law that imposes certain security, authentication, and issuance procedures standards for the state driver's
licenses...
A snipped of this law read's
prohibiting all federal agencies from accepting any non-compliant drivers license or state identification card for
any official purpose (e.g. boarding an airplane, applying for Social Security benefits, student loans, opening a post office box, entering a federal
building, etc). This raises questions regarding the rights of the physically challenged, children, poor, and the elderly who receive benefits or
services from federal government agencies. There are reasons why each may not hold a federally sanctioned, state-issued identification document. The
PASS ID Act does not specify limits on the requirement of an approved identification document to access federal government services, benefits, or meet
with federal employees in official settings. In effect, individuals will lose some level of citizenship and rights should they not hold a PASS
ID.
This law takes effect Jan 1 2010...
Did you know, in the United States after Dec. 31, most people will need passports to fly anywhere, including inside the USA? Yep, the RealID mess - 36
states driver's licenses are not in compliance with federal law and will not be a legal form of ID. So if you want to fly or gain entrance into a
federal building, you need a passport.
Many Stories
My state New Mexico is one of those 36 and unless congress extends or repels I too will need a passport
[edit on 26-11-2009 by DaddyBare]