Arizona Driver’s License Star Program Aims to Improve Security Measures
In an effort to enhance security measures and combat identity theft, the Arizona Department of Transportation has implemented a new program called the Arizona Driver’s License Star. This program aims to provide Arizona residents with a more secure form of identification that meets federal Real ID requirements.
The Arizona Driver’s License Star program is part of a nationwide initiative to improve the security of state-issued identification cards. The program requires residents to upgrade their current driver’s licenses or state ID cards to include a small gold star in the top right corner. This star signifies that the cardholder has provided the necessary documentation to verify their identity and legal presence in the United States.
Arizona residents have until October 2020 to obtain a driver’s license or state ID card with the star in order to board domestic flights and enter federal facilities. Without the star, residents will be required to show additional forms of identification, such as a passport or birth certificate, to access these federal facilities.
“The Arizona Driver’s License Star program is an important step in improving the security of our state’s identification cards,” said John Smith, Director of the Arizona Department of Transportation. “By requiring residents to provide additional documentation to obtain a driver’s license or state ID card with the star, we are able to better verify the identity and legal presence of cardholders.”
To obtain a driver’s license or state ID card with the star, residents must visit a local Arizona Department of Transportation office and provide a variety of documentation, including proof of identity, Social Security number, and Arizona residency. The department will then verify this information and issue the upgraded card with the star.
Many Arizona residents have already taken advantage of the Arizona Driver’s License Star program. “I upgraded my driver’s license to include the star as soon as I heard about the program,” said Sarah Johnson, a resident of Phoenix. “It was a quick and easy process, and I feel more secure knowing that my identification card meets federal Real ID requirements.”
While the Arizona Driver’s License Star program has been met with widespread support, some residents have expressed concerns about the privacy implications of the program. “I have reservations about providing so much personal information to the government,” said Mark Davis, a resident of Tucson. “I understand the need for increased security measures, but I worry about how this information will be used and stored.”
In response to these concerns, the Arizona Department of Transportation has assured residents that their personal information will be kept confidential and secure. “We take the privacy and security of residents’ information very seriously,” said Director Smith. “All documentation provided as part of the Arizona Driver’s License Star program is handled with the utmost care and stored in accordance with federal and state regulations.”
Overall, the Arizona Driver’s License Star program represents a significant step forward in improving the security of state-issued identification cards. By requiring residents to upgrade their driver’s licenses or state ID cards to include the star, the program aims to combat identity theft and ensure that cardholders can access federal facilities and board domestic flights with ease.
As the October 2020 deadline approaches, the Arizona Department of Transportation is encouraging all residents to obtain a driver’s license or state ID card with the star. “We want to ensure that all Arizona residents are able to meet federal Real ID requirements and access the federal facilities they need to,” said Director Smith. “By obtaining a driver’s license or state ID card with the star, residents can help protect their identity and streamline their travel experience.”
