Massachusetts to Introduce Enhanced Driver’s Licenses for Residents
In an effort to provide residents with a more secure form of identification, the state of Massachusetts has announced plans to introduce enhanced driver’s licenses. These new licenses will feature additional security features and allow residents to use them for domestic flights, entering federal buildings, and crossing borders into Canada and Mexico.
The decision to introduce these enhanced driver’s licenses comes as part of a broader effort to improve the security of identification cards in the state. These new licenses will be compliant with the REAL ID Act, a federal law that sets minimum security standards for state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards.
According to Massachusetts Governor, Charlie Baker, “Enhanced driver’s licenses will provide residents with a more secure form of identification that will make it easier for them to travel domestically and internationally. These new licenses will also help to protect against identity theft and fraud.”
Residents who wish to obtain an enhanced driver’s license will need to provide additional documentation, such as a birth certificate or passport, to prove their identity. They will also need to undergo a background check and complete an in-person interview at a Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles office.
The cost of obtaining an enhanced driver’s license will be higher than a standard driver’s license, but residents will have the option to renew their enhanced license every five years. The exact cost of the enhanced driver’s license has not yet been announced.
The introduction of enhanced driver’s licenses in Massachusetts has been met with mixed reactions from residents. Some see the new licenses as a necessary security measure that will make it easier for them to travel, while others are concerned about the cost and the additional documentation required to obtain the license.
“I think it’s a good idea to have a more secure form of identification, especially for traveling,” said Sarah Johnson, a resident of Boston. “But I’m worried about the cost of the enhanced license and the extra steps I have to go through to get it.”
On the other hand, John Davis, a resident of Worcester, expressed his support for the new enhanced driver’s licenses. “I think it’s a great idea to have a more secure form of identification, especially for traveling internationally,” he said. “I don’t mind paying a little more for the enhanced license if it means I can travel more easily.”
Overall, the introduction of enhanced driver’s licenses in Massachusetts will provide residents with a more secure form of identification that will make it easier for them to travel domestically and internationally. While there are concerns about the cost and additional documentation required to obtain the license, many residents see the benefits of having a more secure form of identification.
