Feds crack down on noncompliant Arizona IDs, driver’s licenses

PHOENIX — Arizona driver’s licenses and identification cards are not valid, according to the federal government, but a state legislator has proposed a solution.

Starting Jan. 1, 2016, Arizonans will not be allowed to pass through airport security with their state issued ID; they will be required to provide another form of identification, such as a passport or permanent residency card.

After the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, the U.S. government gave states 31 requirements to make their driver’s licenses more secure.

The Arizona legislature fought back and passed a law that banned the Motor Vehicle Division of ADOT from issuing the federal Real ID.

“We have been under this ban since 2009,” Arizona Sen. Bob Worsley said. “In the meantime, the rest of the country, all but four states, have proceeded and are now implementing the solution.”

The Department of Homeland Security has begun cracking down on citizens without the ID.

Worsely said some Arizonans have already been turned away from entering certain federal buildings because their driver’s licenses do not meet the federal requirements.

“… We are now at a point where Arizona’s decision not to comply is becoming a bit embarrassing,” Worsely said.

The Republican said he does not want Arizonans to be punished because of the legislature’s actions, so he has introduced a bill that would amend Arizona’s ban on Real ID.

Amendments to Senate Bill 1273 would give Arizona residents the option to purchase an ID that meets federal requirements for about $15.

“We’re not removing the ban,” he said. “For those who do not feel like (the Real ID Act) should be mandated on us, it’s no problem.”

Under the proposed law, Arizonans could receive a Real ID if they provided two documents that had satisfactory proof of their permanent resident address.

The photo of the enhanced ID would have to be updated every eight years.