FLORIDA: Part time residents must assume the chipped position
New part-time residents must release their out-of-state driver licenses if they want to get a Florida license.
Most states insist new residents turn in their out-of-state license and get a new license.
However, part-time residents in Florida aren’t required to get a Florida driver license unless they want a job within the state or they want to put their children in the public school system. Those who fall into that category need to get a Florida driver license within 30 days.
Many residents hadn’t heard of the legislative changes but upon learning about it, North Naples resident Anita Panaccion, 59, said it’s a good idea.
The legislative change may reduce the chance of someone using his or her dual license as a form of fraud.
The Real ID Act imposes certain security, authentication and issuance procedures and standards for state driver licenses and ID cards. The requirement established new national standards for state-issued driver licenses and ID cards.
So far, 30 states, including Florida, have met or are in the process of meeting minimum security requirements for issuing state driver licenses. It used to be that a part-time Florida resident could come here, apply for a driver license and receive one that is valid in Florida only. That meant they could keep the license of their home state and use their Florida license while in this state.
The Real ID Act was put in place to increase security and reduce fraud. Initially approved in 2005, the government delayed its implementation until this year.
In Collier County, there are 9,696 licenses categorized as “Valid in Florida Only.” Of those license holders in Collier County, 8,318 have addresses in Naples.
Those who previously were issued licenses that still are valid in Florida can continue to use them until they expire.
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“In all of my time in the Senate, I have never seen so much on our plate for a December session. It is very frustrating that the Senate has not yet taken up the Pass ID legislation that we reported out of committee last summer.” - Maine Senator, Susan Collins. “There is no doubt this is controversial,” she said. “There are members who favor the original Real ID Act and members that want to repeal the Real ID act outright.”
“This has been very controversial, and it certainly is in Maine,” she said. “But we don’t want to see the consequences of the Real ID law taking effect and seeing long lines at the Jetport.”
Under existing law, a Maine driver’s license will not be sufficient to prove a person’s identity to board an airplane after the first of the year. Pingree said some in Congress may push for a delay in the existing law to provide the time to work out legislation that is acceptable.
Maine is one of 14 states that have a law saying the state will not comply with the Real ID law. Secretary of State Matt Dunlap is among those in the state who oppose the existing law and the Pass ID alternative. He said the existing law and the proposed measure have serious flaws.
Residents living in states that don't meet the mandate could be prohibited from boarding commercial aircraft or entering federal facilities and nuclear power plants starting in January.
Officials with the state Department of Transportation say West Virginia will not be in full compliance with REAL ID by the end of the year but expect to be eligible for an extension that will push their deadline until May 2011.
"We're really ahead of the game as far as meeting some of the requirements and we continue to be proactive to stay abreast," said Steven Dale, assistant to the state commissioner of motor vehicles.
West Virginia is far from the only state struggling with the deadline imposed by REAL ID. The National Governor's Association estimates that as many as 36 states will not be able to meet the federal requirements by the end of this year
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