[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 136 (Wednesday, October 16, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S10560]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 DRIVER'S LICENSE FRAUD PREVENTION ACT

  Mr. McCAIN. Mr. President, I am pleased to have joined Senator Durbin 
in introducing the Driver's License Fraud Prevention Act.
  Today's patchwork of State laws, regulations, and procedures for the 
issuance of driver's licenses makes it all too easy for problem drivers 
and criminals to obtain multiple licenses to hide traffic convictions 
and other criminal activity. The extent of the problem became painfully 
clear following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, when we 
learned that a number of the terrorists had obtained State-issued 
driver's licenses or identification cards using fraudulent documents.
  Almost half the States have taken action since the terrorist attacks 
to tighten licensing procedures and I am encouraged that the National 
Governors Association has formed a homeland security task force that, 
among other things, will be working to determine the best way for 
States to strengthen their driver's license standards and authority. 
However, Senator Durbin and I believe there is a legitimate role for 
the Federal Government to play in leading and coordinating State 
efforts to improve driver's license security. In addition, because of 
the estimated costs and coordination required to improve driver's 
license security, the States cannot resolve the issue on their own.
  The proposal we introduced would require the Department of 
Transportation, DOT, to work in consultation with the States to 
establish minimum standards for proof of identity by driver's license 
applicants. Currently, personnel in departments of motor vehicles are 
called upon to perform the difficult task of verifying numerous 
different types of birth certificates, licenses from other States, 
proof of residency, and other documents. Only 18 States verify an 
applicant's social security number with the Social Security 
Administration and there is no system today to verify the validity of a 
driver's license being surrendered to obtain a license in another 
State.
  This legislation would also require DOT, in consultation with the 
States, to establish minimum standards for the license itself to make 
it more tamper-proof and less susceptible to counterfeiting. DOT would 
also be directed to complete a study of the feasibility, costs, 
benefits and impact on personal privacy of using a biometric identifier 
on driver's licenses. The intent is not to create a national driver's 
license or identification card, but to improve the security of State-
issued licenses through the use of digital photographs, holograms and 
other devices.
  In addition, the bill would use the existing database for commercial 
motor vehicle drivers as the platform for creating a driver record 
information system on all licensed drivers. The new system, like the 
current one, would be a pointer system to State records, rather than a 
national database of information on drivers. It is this new system that 
would help States verify the validity of licenses previously held, 
determine whether an individual holds more than one license, and 
provide information on the individual's driving record. Further, the 
bill would prohibit the disclosure or display of an individual's social 
security number of a driver's license, increase criminal penalties for 
fraudulently issuing, obtaining or facilitating the issuance of 
fraudulent licenses, and call for the timely posting of convictions 
incurred in any State on the driver's license.
  Driver's licenses are used by minors to purchase alcohol and 
cigarettes, by criminals involved in identity theft, and for many other 
illegal purposes. Improving the security of the license is a matter of 
common sense.
  I am confident that this legislation will provoke meaningful and 
lively debate, as well as more ideas about how to approach driver's 
license security. It may not be possible, given the press of other 
business, for the bill to be passed this year. Nevertheless, this 
proposal will provide a foundation for discussion and deliberations 
next year as we work to reauthorize the Transportation Equity Act for 
the 21st Century, TEA-21.

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