Learning about WA's Enhanced Driver's License

Written by Christina Drummond
At yesterday's RFID policy roundtable, we got to hear more about the voluntary Enhanced Driver's License program, and particularly DHS's influence over the project. For those who haven't heard about the Enhanced Driver's License, it is a Department of Licensing program that will allow Washington citizens to cross the border by using an Enhanced Driver's License instead of a U.S. passport. The proposed Enhanced DL also will denote citizenship.

From Antonio Ginatta, Gov. Gregoire's executive policy advisor, we learned that RFID's incorporation in the Enhanced DL is not negotiable, although the particular flavor of RFID and the level of protections incorporated through the technology (such as encryption, authentication, kill-switch, etc.) is still up for debate. We also learned that the license is being modeled after the current NEXUS Pass program that is already up and running at the border.

I find it ironic that Washington's going with RFID for a license when DHS specifically did not opt for RFID in the REAL ID regs, because it couldn't explain why the routine reading of a license would be necessary.

The integrated contactless chip was not deemed an appropriate technology for this particular document, as there is not an identifiable need for driver’s licenses and identification cards to be routinely read at a distance.

At the RFID Roundtable, we heard that remote reading at the border is needed so that Customs can bring up a traveler's record before they get to the inspector's booth. I still don't see why I can't just bring out an ID and actually touch a reader, yards ahead in line. The need for remote "contactless" reading is unclear...