Lines At DMV Could Get Worse

he lines for getting a driver's license are often long now, but they could get even worse.

If the federal Real ID Act takes effect next May, as planned, the number of people showing up at Division of Motor Vehicles offices could grow six-fold.

That's because all 3.8 million residents with Colorado identification will be required to show up in person to have their photo and documentation checked, instead of renewing by mail, said Debora Jerome, project coordinator for the state driver's license administration.

The federal Real ID Act is controversial, with privacy activists condemning it, and dozens of state legislatures critical.

Montana and Washington have flat refused to comply, even though driver's licenses issued by those states could no longer be used to fly commercially or enter federal buildings. Two dozen Congress members are ready to repeal it.

Colorado is not among the states objecting. Colorado already has in place many of the new federal requirements — and it already has the long lines predicted nationwide if the Real ID Act takes effect.

But because the federal law says everyone who is renewing a license or Colorado ID must appear in person, the workload would multiply.

State officials have yet to even discuss expanding staff to match.

Due to budget cuts, Colorado's DMV staff stands at 191 statewide, the same as in 1969 when half as many people lived here. Another 53 are to be added this year.

Officials said earlier this week that 40 percent of the people coming into DMV offices spend hours in line and then leave without a license. Most do not bring accepted identification documents in their legal name — the one on the federal Social Security database. Officials hope to ease that problem by teaching citizens to bring the right paperwork the first time.

Rocky Mountain News