Getting a driver's license is about to get more complicated (coming Jan 1st)

[flvegan]

TALLAHASSEE — Do you know where your birth certificate is? How about your Social Security card? Or your divorce papers?

Starting Jan. 1, you'll need those documents or others if you're seeking a new drivers license or state-issued ID card. For some it promises to be a bumpy bureaucratic ride, as Florida requires more documentation than ever to prove each driver's identity. It's part of a nationwide program to improve the integrity of state-issued licenses.

Drivers will have to prove their identification, with documents such as an original birth certificate or valid passport; their Social Security number, with the card itself or a pay stub or W-2 form; and their residency, with two forms of identification, such as a voter registration card or an electric bill. Additionally, those with names different from their birth names will need supporting documents, too.

The changes are a result of a federal law known as Real ID, which Congress passed in 2005 partly in response to the Sept. 11 attacks and concerns that drivers' licenses were too easy to get.

http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/stateroundup/getting-a-drivers-license-is-about-to-get-more-complicated/1061703

[csziggy]

1. Had to have those when I renewed last July!

The local DMV office was only accepting birth certificates for US born citizens and utility bills. What their web site did not make clear is that they do NOT need to keep a copy - they scan it into their computer and give you your copy back. I had ordered extra copies of my the style certificates (that look a lot like the form that Barack Obama's is on) so I did not have to hand over my ancient "long form" certificate of birth my parents got when I was a kid. And I did not even need to get those. :(

[unabelladonna]

2. it is a nightmare

iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiihaving recently moved to florida i went to get my license jan. 5. i had my NY license, passport, birth certificate, marriage license, 3 pieces of male and SS card.
they would not accept my proof. problem? my SS card had my maiden name. all hell broke loose. i tried to explain that my birth certificate and marriage license showed i was the same person. every other person in the license bureau looked as if they just landed in the USA.

[lpbk2713]

3. I was in and out of the Lakeland office in twenty minutes.

I had made an appt online and showed up around five minutes early. Aside from my soon to expire Florida driver's license I had with me my latest utility bill (address), my original Social Security card and a certified copy of my birth certificate. There were a few in front of me at the Receptionist, but after she gave me a stub with a number on it I had only sat down about three minutes before they called my number. I walked right up to the clerk who verified all the info and took my picture. Another three minutes to wait for the DL to be printed and sealed and that was it.

[Yurovsky]

4. Didn't it get more expensive?

I was talking to my mailperson the other day and she said it was $40-something dollars? That's some serious jack for a document that has become more or less our "papers" when being interrogated by the authorities (thank you Patriot Act!).

[lpbk2713]

5. It was $48 for eight more years for me.

That was for a regular Operator's license. I don't know if accidents
or violations change the price but I hadn't had any.

[Yurovsky]

6. That's crazy...

$48 is a lot of money for most people (including me!)

I don't see why a DL should cost more than the cost of actually printing the document. It's damn near mandatory to do anything, from cashing your paycheck to buying a liquor drink. Crazy, just goddamn crazy. $48... goddamn...

[Roland99]

7. I had all that anyway. But I just moved here last May.

[Loge23]

8. Draconian is too kind a word for this.

A well-established doctor in Port St. Lucie showed up with everything and still was turned down. Why? Because whomever typed his S.S. card way back when did not enter his middle name!!
"No license for you'! Even though you have been driving with one for decades!!
What utter nonsense this is. This and the unbelieveably restrictive bunch at TSA - punishing the citizens for the sins committed of omission by the government.

http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2010/jan/19/proper-identification-could-hinder-driver/