Feb 4, 2008

Smart Driver's Licenses Introduced

The Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) has issued the first Enhanced Driver's Licenses (EDL) in North America, making Washington the first state to offer its citizens a convenient and cost-effective alternative to a passport or PASS card that can be used to re-enter the United States at sea and land border-crossing points. The licenses use technology from Digimarc Corporation.

Now citizens of Washington can choose an Enhanced Driver License option that is issued upon proof of citizenship, identity and residency, and serves as a federally recognized alternative document to a passport for re-entry into the United States by land or sea. (If you arrive by airplane or in a hot-air balloon you better have a passport.) The new licenses cost $40, only $15 more than a standard Washington license.

A key part of Digimarc's EDL system in Washington includes applicant screening to verify an applicant's identity before issuing an enhanced license. Identity verification includes authenticating applicant proof-of-identity documents as well as biometric comparisons of facial photographs to ensure that only one license is issued to one legitimate card holder. If you are two-faced, apparently you're on your own.