Star Now Required on Colorado Driver’s License for Real ID Compliance
In an effort to comply with the Real ID Act passed by Congress in 2005, the Colorado Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has announced that all Colorado driver’s licenses must now have a star in the upper right-hand corner in order to be considered a valid form of identification for federal purposes.
The Real ID Act was passed in response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks, with the goal of improving the security of state-issued identification cards. The Act established minimum security standards for state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards and prohibited federal agencies from accepting cards for certain official purposes unless they meet these standards.
Colorado is one of many states that have been working to comply with the Real ID Act in recent years. The requirement for a star on driver’s licenses is just one of several changes that the state has implemented in order to meet the Act’s requirements.
According to the DMV, the addition of the star on Colorado driver’s licenses is intended to make it easier for residents to obtain Real ID-compliant identification and to provide greater security for those who are using their driver’s licenses for federal purposes. The star indicates that the license holder has presented the required documentation to verify their identity and other information, such as their date of birth and Social Security number.
To obtain a driver’s license with the star, residents will need to visit a DMV office in person and provide the necessary documentation, such as proof of identity, date of birth, Social Security number, and proof of Colorado residency. Once the documentation has been verified, the DMV will issue a driver’s license with the star, which can be used for federal purposes, such as boarding domestic flights or entering federal buildings.
While the new requirement may inconvenience some residents who are accustomed to using their driver’s licenses as a form of identification without the star, the DMV has emphasized the importance of complying with the Real ID Act in order to ensure the security of state-issued identification cards.
In addition to the star on driver’s licenses, the Colorado DMV has also implemented other changes to comply with the Real ID Act, such as increasing the security features on driver’s licenses and identification cards and enhancing the process for verifying the identity of applicants.
Overall, the addition of the star on Colorado driver’s licenses is a significant step towards enhancing the security of state-issued identification cards and ensuring compliance with the Real ID Act. Residents who are in need of a Real ID-compliant driver’s license are encouraged to visit their local DMV office to obtain a license with the star and to ensure that they have the necessary documentation to meet the Act’s requirements.
