CONSEQUENCES OF STATE DRIVERS LICENSES AS NATIONAL ID

[RVrs R US]

Hi Folks,

Does anyone have a handle on what might happen to full-timers when the new proposed Homeland Security regulations using states drivers licenses as a national ID begin?

Tania and I got a glimpse of what the future may hold in 2004 while renewing our drivers licenses in Delaware. As do most full-timers, we use a mail forwarder (Mail Boxes, Etc.) for both our forwarding service and as our legal (domicile) address. The counter people at the Delaware DMV checked the address on our license in a reverse directory and when it didn't show a residential address, everything stopped until they received approval from higher ups to proceed with our renewal.

According to some figures I've seen, there are 1 million full-timers in RVs on the road without "fixed" residences which seems to be a requirement of the new proposed drivers license.

Tania and Dave

[RVrs R US]

Hi Folks,

Does anyone have a handle on what might happen to full-timers when the new proposed Homeland Security regulations using states drivers licenses as a national ID begin?

Tania and I got a glimpse of what the future may hold in 2004 while renewing our drivers licenses in Delaware. As do most full-timers, we use a mail forwarder (Mail Boxes, Etc.) for both our forwarding service and as our legal (domicile) address. The counter people at the Delaware DMV checked the address on our license in a reverse directory and when it didn't show a residential address, everything stopped until they received approval from higher ups to proceed with our renewal.

According to some figures I've seen, there are 1 million full-timers in RVs on the road without "fixed" residences which seems to be a requirement of the new proposed drivers license.

Tania and Dave

[ItstheTrip]

We ran into the same problem in Washington -- needed to have a "real" address for our vehicle registration and for the VA. So we went out to the middle of nowhere, bought an acre for next to nothing in a development that provided us a letter that states there is no mail delivery for our address and with that, we use a mail forwarding service in WA. Everyone's happy now and we don't have any more problems.

[Route 66]

Good to see you back on the forum.

This very issue was cussed and discussed on the Escapees forum at length.

I recalled for the original DHS proposal that PO boxes and mail forwarding services would not be acceptable as legal addresses.

PO boxes were never acceptable as a legal address as far as I know.

However, I and others cannot find any current or proposed reference to mail forwarding services not being acceptable as a legal address.

Texas is the only state that has had a court challenge to a mail forwarding service as a legal address as far as I know. It was the Escapees mail forwarding service as a legal address for voting purposes that was challenged by some candidates/politicians. The Escapees prevailed, and now have a state court order that recognizes the service as a legal address.

IMO, Texas, South Dakota, and Florida have the least complications with this issue.

[RVrs R US]

Hi Dirk! We've never left, just lettin' the youngin's step up! Many thanks for the replies from you and ItstheTrip.

The Delaware DMV changed our license to add Mail Boxes, Etc and our PMB# which allowed us to renew our registration back in 2004. Our MB,e address has been our legal address since 1999. (If it hasn't been legal, this probably won't go real good on my resume as a former judge and current employment as a court baliff either would it? )

Our registrations aren't due until April (Tania) and June (me) of 2009 so we've got some time unless DHS requires something from us earlier. Fortunately, we've got friends down in Selbyville, Delaware who'll rent us a room to establish a legal address so we can keep our Delaware residency if needed.

We're trying to anticipate what might be coming down the road and create an action plan ahead of time.

Tania and Dave

[Route 66]

The consensus from the previous discussion was that there doesn't appear to be any proposed DHS rules/regulations that would affect us fulltimers with PMBs as a legal address.

However, as you well know, the states as well as the feds can enact any rule they like, and current rules and regulations are subject to change. Sometimes as an overlooked consequence of another rule change.

So, for now it's business as usual, until further notice.

BTW, it never hurts to have a backup plan, as you do.

[RVrs R US]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content"> BTW, it never hurts to have a backup plan, as you do. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

If we're so smart, then why are you in Florida enjoying the sun and we're in Western New York shoveling snow and freezing our butts off?

Tania and Dave

[Route 66]

Well...........now that you mention it.

[Wallaby Dan]

I think I'm glad I have a Arizona License And tags. License is good till 2021 and tags are two year tags. I havn't had any mail from DMV on where we were...Yet
I'll let ya know if they do. I would think that the ruling in Texas would hold up in any court in any state. I seem to remember that back around ten or so years ago, They were talking about a Federal Drivers license. It went the way of the Do-do bird so this may as well.

[jperry29]

Dave! There you are. Been wondering what you have been doing with all that good information that flows from your keyboard. I even posted a "Where's Dave and Tania" back in February.

Anyway, good to see a post from you again. You bring out good topics like this one that help keep us aware of important issues.

[RVrs R US]

Hi John, how the heck are you? Great to hear from you too! Tania and I are full timing on the east coast and just lovin' it! Been very fortunate to have made a ton of great new friends in our travels.

I'll dig way down and see if this ol' brain has anything else rummaging around in there worth posting.

Tania and Dave

[RVrs R US]

Here is an update on this subject dated Tuesday, April 17, 2007 from a newsletter we receive:

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Where Will You Get Your Driver's License in 2008?

A little publicized piece of federal legislation could create major headaches for fulltime RVers in the not-too-distant future. Called the "Real ID Act" the legislation passed in 2005 and signed by President Bush mandates that all states provide verification of all individual's identities when renewing their state-issued ID cards or driver licenses.

In addition to proving citizenship, those who renew (or apply for) state-issued cards will also need to provide proof of their principle residence address. Typically this would be in the form of a utility bill, showing the name and address of the applicant. What happens to the unnumbered masses of full time RVers who don't have utility bills because they don't have a "home" other than their wheeled residence?

We throw this one open for discussion, because like it or not, the deadline is coming up quickly. The law requires states to begin the verification process in May 2008. States may apply for an extension to December 2009 in order to prepare their agencies for the extra work. What will you do to "prove up" your residence? Without the federally sanctioned ID, you won't be able enter federal facilities, nor fly on federally regulated aircraft. While some states have decried the federal law and say they won't go along with it, it will certainly prove interesting to see how this all shakes out.

For a breakdown of information on this law, visit The National Conference of State Legislatures website. Or check out an entry in Wikipedia--but note, some dispute the neutrality of the article's contents. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

From the looks of the REAL ID ACT of 2005 DRIVERS LICENSE TITLE SUMMARY, this issue is not going away unless we Full Timers, the RV industry and the RV Campground industry clearly convey our lifestyle to the state legislatures.

Dave

[rebelsbeach]

Good to see you jumping in Dave....

Thank goodness my license came up this year for renewal and as such I have 5 years until I need worry....

[RVrs R US]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by rebelsbeach:
Good to see you jumping in Dave....

Thank goodness my license came up this year for renewal and as such I have 5 years until I need worry.... </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Sounds like you are in good shape for a while Bob. I believe this license ID issue being deligated to the states by the feds is going to be a mess for us fulltimers unless the feds understand what fulltiming is all about and that an estimated 1 million of us are doing it.

Should be an interesting next 18 months. I'm writing the National Conference of State Legislatures to inform them of what we are all about to see if I can have a positive impact on their decision process.

Will report back when I hear anything.

Dave