Anti-Terror Legislation Expected to Lengthen DMV Lines

Applying for a driver's license in the area could become a more trying experience under immigration-related requirements, approved this week by Congress, that are expected to lengthen waiting lines at licensing offices and cost states, including Maryland and Virginia, millions of dollars.

Current and former Maryland transportation officials said that the changes probably would inconvenience drivers seeking to renew licenses through the mail and would turn front-desk clerks into frontline fact-checkers.

Motor vehicle officials would have to scan, store and verify such documents as bank account statements, phone bills and birth certificates before issuing a license. President Bush is expected to sign the bill.

"There are a lot of people scratching their heads, wondering how they are going to get this done," said John D. Porcari, who served as Maryland transportation secretary under Gov. Parris N. Glendening. "It is going to be an administrative nightmare."

The legislation, known as the Real ID Act, is intended to help stop suspected terrorists from entering the United States. The measure would make it more difficult for illegal immigrants to obtain licenses that the federal government will accept as identification.

But the Real ID Act also could affect drivers accustomed to renewing their licenses by mail or walking out of a Department of Motor Vehicles office with a license on the same day they submit an application.

"That is not going to happen in one day" if motor-vehicles offices are calling utility companies and checking out-of-state birth records, said Cheye Calvo, transportation committee director for the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Proponents of the legislation said U.S. security is worth the wait and the price tag.

"The problem is, you're only as strong as your weakest-link state,'' said Colleen Gilbert, executive director of the New York-based Coalition for a Secure Driver's License, one of the forces behind the measure. "Waiting an extra 20 minutes in line to make sure your ID is secure -- and everyone else's -- is well worth it."

Transportation officials in Maryland, Virginia and the District are reviewing the fine print of the new requirements.

"Budget issues, longer lines -- we don't know. That's speculation," said Janis D. Hazel, spokeswoman for the D.C. Department of Motor Vehicles. "If this comes into effect, we will address it in our next budget cycle."

Based on an earlier version of the bill, Virginia transportation officials estimated that it could cost as much as $237 million to maintain the current level of service.