Washington State to offer WHTI-compliant driver's licenses

If 2006 was the year that the United States got the biometrics ball rolling with HSPD-12, TWIC, PASS, and REAL-ID, 2007 may be the year that these programs begin to work together. Consider as an example a new pilot program between Washington State and DHS in which those applying for new driver’s licenses will have the option of making the card compliant with the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative as well. The program offers a number of advantages, most especially convenience and price, as both REAL-ID and WHTI have been criticized for imposing unneccesary costs on those who previously used their state-issued IDs to cross into Mexico and Canada. Offering one card to handle both will save money and, perhaps most critically, serve as a promotion for WHTI even if the consumer declines the added capabilities. (It will also save DHS money by providing built-in issuance infrastructure.) “The Washington pilot program is one possible compliance alternative to WHTI requirements,” said Governor Chris Gregoire. The key unanswered question: will Washington State receive any funding to help off-set its REAL-ID costs?