ACLU Scorecard on Final REAL ID Regulations

The ACLU has released a systematic analysis of the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) final regulations for the Real ID Act. It reveals that the regulations still address only 9 percent of the problems with the act that have been identified.

The final regulations do not lift the burdens that Real ID imposes on the states and the population, a close look at the regulations reveals that the Real ID's problems remain unresolved.

The ACLU's analysis of the DHS regulations is based on a list of 56 problems that have been commonly identified with the Real ID law by a variety of parties, including privacy activists, domestic violence victims, anti-government conservatives, religious leaders and DMV administrators. Of the 56 problems, the regulations successfully addressed or "passed" 6 (11 percent), scored an incomplete on 12 (21 percent), and failed 38 (68 percent).

This scorecard was a response to Homeland Security's long-awaited release of final regulations on Friday implementing the 2005 Real ID Act, which would federalize state driver's licenses and create the nation's first-ever de facto national identity card system. Extensive delays in issuing these regulations have exacerbated state complaints, 17 of which have rebelled by passing anti-Real ID legislation.

Early indications are that the new regulations are not being embraced in the states. Gov. Brian Schweitzer (D-MT) has written a letter to governors of other states that have opposed Real ID, calling on them to resist the Department of Homeland Security's attempt to force states to comply. See more information from the AP at "Schweitzer Seeks Allies Against Real ID" and from Wired at "Montana Governor Foments Real ID Rebellion."

In conjunction with its scorecard, the ACLU also released a white paper challenging DHS for "grossly underestimating" the costs of Real ID. (link to real cost white paper- attached up above).

Let Governor Schwarzenegger and the Director of the California DMV know that you do not support Real ID.

Call Governor Schwarzenegger at 916-445-2841.

Write to the Director of the California DMV, George Valverde at:

Office of the DirectorDepartment of Motor Vehicles2415 1st Avenue Mail Station F101Sacramento, CA 95818