For the first time...and hopefully the last
Real ID DOES NOT require RFID chips in driver's licenses! Just read the Act for yourself. A recent PC World article, while worthy of a read, is one of a number of media outlets that has misinterpreted this particular language in the Real ID Act.
At issue is the term, "machine-readable technology." These news outlets have misinterpreted this term to be synonymous with the term "RFID." This is not the case.
Machine-readable technology actually refers to the barcode on the reverse side of your driver's license--a technology that almost all state-issued driver's licenses already possess.
This particular story makes a number of other assumptions about AAMVA and its recently released REAL ID Cost Impacts Analysis. I'd like to set the record straight for you.
1. Our analysis does not address machine-readable technology, but security technology.
2. The states are not opposed to the idea of a common machine-readable technology. In fact, it was our idea as part of the DL/ID Security Framework and we included it in the card design specs we published in 2003.
3. Based on the work we did for DL/ID Security Framework, we settled on the use of PDF-417 bar code and are still recommending that to DHS.
So, there you go. Just the facts as I know them to be true. If you find any other misinterpretations like this one, please let me know.
Until next time, stay safe behind the wheel.
Jason D. King
Vice President, Public Relations & Information Services
AAMVA
jking@aamva.org
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