Real ID cards on way to LV
The Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles rolled out its Advanced Secure Issuance card in Reno and Sparks Thursday under a federal program that will spread to Southern Nevada later this month.
The program that follows the federal Real ID Act is designed to provide more secure driver's licenses and identification cards in an effort to prevent terrorists and illegal immigrants from obtaining ID cards. While some states have resisted enacting the program, Gov. Jim Gibbons vowed that Nevada would be in full compliance by the end of the year.
Real IDs will be available at the DMV office on West Flamingo Road beginning Feb. 22, followed by the North Las Vegas office on Donovan Way on Feb. 23, the Henderson office on American Pacific Drive on Feb. 24, the North Las Vegas facility on Decatur Boulevard on Feb. 25 and the East Sahara Avenue office on Feb. 26.
The new licenses will be available in Mesquite and Laughlin on March 9 and in Pahrump on March 18.
To secure the new identification cards and driver's licenses, applicants must produce two forms of identification such as a birth certificate, passport or Social Security card. Applicants who have married and changed their names must also provide a copy of a marriage certificate noting the name change. Also required are proof of residency documents such as a utility bill, rental agreement or mortgage statement.
The new license or ID card is marked with a gold star showing it meets federal standards for boarding commercial aircraft and entering federal buildings.
Eventually, the Real ID will be the only driver's license accepted to board an airplane or enter a federal building, but that is a long way off. Tom Jacobs, spokesman for the Department of Motor Vehicles, said for residents born before Dec. 1, 1964, the standard license will be good until December 2017. The standard license for residents born after Dec. 1, 1964 is good until 2014.
That means residents who need to renew their license but do not wish to obtain a Real ID can get the regular license until 2014, when the DMV will cease issuing them and offer only the advance secure issuance cards.
Contact reporter Adrienne Packer at apacker@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2904.
