I did some poking around and found this definition:
"the 9/11 Commission's recommendation that the Federal Government set standards for the issuance of sources of identification, such as driver's licenses.”
It's the result of 9/11 and trying to prevent terrorists entry into the country. Instead of each state determining requirements for things like driver's licenses, standards were set by the Federal Gov.
There are new requirements put in place to obtain an ID or license; all applicants must present the following documents during the application process:
- A photo ID, or non-photo ID that contains the applicant’s full legal name and birth date
- Valid birth certificate
- Social Security number
- Proof of legal U.S. citizenship, OR proof of lawful admittance into or temporary residence within the U.S.
Also, each state must share it's database with all other states.
It's been slow being adopted country-wide because some states object partly because while the Fed Gov mandated it, they aren't funding it. Some are concerned about a national database and some feel it infringes on states rights.
Ok, probably more than anyone wanted to know (but I thought it was interesting to learn more about it)