NY driver’s licenses to be ‘enhanced’

The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will begin issuing a new Enhanced Driver License (EDL) on September 16, 2008, a move that is expected to bolster the upstate economy and expedite land and sea border crossings in North America and the Caribbean.
The new license was developed by the DMV to meet the requirements of the federal Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), a result of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (IRTPA). The IRTPA requires all travelers to present a passport or other document indicating identity and citizenship upon entering the U.S.
While the standard New York State driver’s license will still be offered - an EDL will cost $30 more than a current license but less than a passport - the DMV is touting their new license as a wallet-sized means of efficient travel in the Western Hemisphere. The card is easily distinguishable from a current New York driver’s license - the word ‘Enhanced’ is prominently displayed on the front along with the American flag. However, what truly sets the EDL apart is the technology inside it - a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag unique to the cardholder that identifies him or her as a New York state resident and U.S. citizen. The RFID tag, which will not contain any personally identifiable characteristics, will help deter counterfeiting, the DMV says.
The new technology will expedite border crossings, thus sustaining U.S.-Canadian trade and the nearly 500,000 jobs supported by it.
“The Enhanced Driver License program achieves the appropriate balance between security and the economy … New York is recognizing its vital relationship with Quebec and Ontario, while implementing real steps to mitigate a vulnerability cited by the 9/11 Commission Report,” said Michael Balboni, the New York State Deputy Secretary for Public Safety.
According to the DMV, the EDL will benefit anyone who travels regularly in the Western Hemisphere. However, non-drivers need not fear; the Non-Driver ID that is currently available will also be issued in the ‘Enhanced’ format.
Currently, Washington State is offering EDLs with only a few other states scheduled to follow suit in the coming months.
The $80 EDL can be obtained by applying at local DMV offices and will be valid for eight years just like the current New York state driver’s license. In addition to the existing requirements for proof of identity, EDL applicants will need to present proof of U.S. citizenship and state residency.