For Federal or Not For Federal Use…That is the Question

Recently I had to renew my driver’s license so I went to the West Virginia DMV website to get the low-down before I ventured all the way down to the office in Moundsville.  The information is all there but you have to take time to read it all and so you’re scrolling and scrolling and wondering if it will ever end.  Then you go back and make a list of the documents needed to renew.  But first, you have to make a choice as far as renewing your license—the usual choices, of course, and now, getting a For Federal Use license is also a choice. A license that comes with a gold star.

I know my kids have the For Federal Use license because I told them that it was probably the wave of the future and just to go ahead and get it since they would be traveling and may have need of it.  For me, I wasn’t sure if I would need that type of license so I went online to see if I could determine why I would want it.

A little bit of background as to why we have this choice is because Congress passed the REAL ID Act of 2005.  West Virginia is one of the states that is in compliance and has been since about 2012. Several changes had to be made at the DMV to make this possible, along with providing additional documents to prove to them that you are who you say you are.  A temporary license is provided on the spot and you will then receive the finished product in the mail.

Not all states are in compliance and/or have not filed for an extension in order to implement this.  Many states are in the process.  Here is the thing too. The Federal Government has not come out and said what the For Federal Use license will be used for in its entirety.  Right now it can get you into power plants and certain federal buildings, etc.  That’s kind of vague and I am not sure why I would need to get into a power plant.  But I understand there are phases established that such and such will happen by a certain date as far as how it can be used.  I asked at the DMV why I would want this license and got a couple interesting answers but nothing definitive.  I am speculating whether eventually everyone will need one just to fly commercially or even to get a job. Or, if, in fact, everyone will have to have a state-provided driver’s license (or general ID) governed by the Federal Government, therefore, eliminating your choice of For Federal or Not For Federal Use.  That remains to be seen.

Either way, I went ahead and paid the extra money, provided all the necessary documents because I was told that it will make it easier to get into Federal buildings—possibly less waiting perhaps.  However, they did not tell me that I would not have to remove my shoes.

So if you haven’t had to renew your license since 2012, you will have the option to get a “gold star” on your driver’s license if you live in West Virginia.

I believe Ohio has implemented the REAL ID Act but Pennsylvania has not.  You can go to the Homeland Security website for more information about this and, of course, the DMV in those states.

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