Real ID

[alibatesknapper]

If I refused to renew my drivers license in protest of the the federal Real ID would it effect my CHL?

Thanks in advance for any advise or information.
alibatesknapper

edited for spelling

[seamusTX]

If you plan to keep driving, the status of your CHL will be the least of your problems. Driving without a license is a class B misdemeanor (Transportation Code §521.253), so if you are convicted of that, your CHL will be revoked. It is also impossible (AFAIK) to register a vehicle or get an inspection sticker without a license.

If you don't drive, you need either a driver license or state ID when a peace officer asks for identification. Failing to show that is also a class B misdemeanor (GC §411.205).

- Jim

[Kalrog]

You can get an inspection done without a license - but you have to have insurance and I'm not sure you could get that without a license.

[Mike1951]

It's been three years since that passed.

When does it go into effect?

I was just reading the other day that non-complying state driver licenses won't allow boarding of airplanes, since the Feds will not recognize the license.

[seamusTX]

The Real ID requirment for federal facilities and aircraft goes into effect May 11, 2008. States that do not comply can get an extension for several years. http://www.fcw.com/online/news/151284-1.html

AFAIK, Texas has not made progress toward complying, but has a waiver.

- Jim

[KBCraig]

AFAIK, Texas has not made progress toward complying, but has a waiver.

Shame about the waiver. It would be much more interesting at DFW, et al., if Texas travelers were shut down on 5/11.

[alibatesknapper]

Well I noticed when I voted Tuesday that this was on the ballot. Also noticed in the paper yesterday that most Texans want this for some reason so I will just live with it I guess.

Thanks to everyone who replied and the information given.

a

[Mike1951]

Please do not confuse the simple request to present a photo ID when you vote to the intrusive government mandate for a standardized ID.

There is nothing wrong with making sure a person who votes is who he is supposed to be and current ID works just fine for that.

[KBCraig]

Yeah, what Mike said.

The Republican referendum issue (which is non-binding, and amounts to a "sense of the party" vote) on presenting ID when voting, had nothing at all to do with the REAL-ID act.

Texas is headlong down that rabbit hole already.