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Charlotte Amalie
Friday, March 29, 2024
HomeNewsArchivesV.I. Answer Desk: Driver's License Renewal

V.I. Answer Desk: Driver's License Renewal

Reader Ruth O’Neal asks why she was required to provide a social security card or voter registration—instead of her passport—when she renewed her driver’s license.
Motor Vehicles Bureau Director Jerris T. Browne says a passport is acceptable, along with a birth certificate, Social Security card, hor alternative (for instance a W-2 income tax form with name and Social Security number.)
Browne says these are the requirements as set under the federal Real ID Act of 2005,
a bill that set federal standards for U.S. state drivers’ licenses and identification cards, barring federal agencies from accepting state IDs and licenses that do not comply with the Act. It was introduced and passed by the House in 2005. The law also applies to U.S. territories, Browne said.
He said all federal or local government documents with a person’s name and Social Security number are acceptable. For military veterans, discharge documents are required.
For other residents, naturalization papers are required, a permanent resident card, or any other document showing the person is legally in the United States.
There is light on the horizon for next year, Browne said. "Online driver’s license applications will be available next year when we tie up to a national database. We are working towards that right now, based on a deadline for the states and territories."
Browne said the department is working to get a contract in place to put out a bid to hire a vendor to create the new software for the program.

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