A little publicized piece of federal legislation could create major headaches for fulltime RVers in the not-too-distant future. Called the "Real ID Act" the legislation passed in 2005 and signed by President Bush mandates that all states provide verification of all individual's identities when renewing their state-issued ID cards or driver licenses.
In addition to proving citizenship, those who renew (or apply for) state-issued cards will also need to provide proof of their principle residence address. Typically this would be in the form of a utility bill, showing the name and address of the applicant. What happens to the unnumbered masses of full time RVers who don't have utility bills because they don't have a "home" other than their wheeled residence?
We throw this one open for discussion, because like it or not, the deadline is coming up quickly. The law requires states to begin the verification process in May 2008. States may apply for an extension to December 2009 in order to prepare their agencies for the extra work. What will you do to "prove up" your residence? Without the federally sanctioned ID, you won't be able enter federal facilities, nor fly on federally regulated aircraft. While some states have decried the federal law and say they won't go along with it, it will certainly prove interesting to see how this all shakes out.
For a breakdown of information on this law, visit The National Conference of State Legislatures website. Or check out an entry in Wikipedia--but note, some dispute the neutrality of the article's contents.
31 comments:
I feel that most full time Rvers will work this out! Most of us has at least one bill going to our mail forwarding address! Maybe the mail forwarding companies will come up with some type of verification! I am just glad you are getting the word out!I just don't see how all these stupid regulations on citizens is going capture terrorist! Has it yet?
Well you full timers, looks like you have another battle ahead. Sounds like you should mobilize GOOD SAM, ESCAPEES,RVIA and even bring the Auto club and of course AARP in on this one. Since the majority of full timers are still retirees and seniors, this puts an unfair burden on them... I think the threat of a descrimination suit will help states (like California) to understand they need to make provisions and allowances for this segment of the population. Once CA does it, many states will just carbon copy thier statutes.
What about a voter registration card? Would that not be as acceptable as a utility bill?
This law will affect people that live off the grid as well. These people usally produce their own utilities or least part of their utilities. Some of these new laws really impose themselves on our freedoms and some rights. I personally suggest contacting the politician themselves when you have concerns. The more they hear or read what is on peoples mind it can make a difference. President Bush's e-mail is President@whitehouse.gov
Can someone help me with a question? Where do we go for an address when we RV on the road fuff time? How do we find this information?
Katherine Hadsell
Possibly you could use your camping organization as verification or where you "live." Or use your mailing address - you will be getting bills there - at least insurance ones. Barb
Is this the first step in assigning everyone in the states a number? Maybe they will eventually stamp it on our foreheads like in the bible.
As retired full timers, this is a troubling development. We certainly understand and support the governments desire to protect all its citizens against terrorists but there has to be a way to do this without eliminating Fulltime RVing. I've heard numbers as high as 1 Million Fulltimers on the road.
Maybe Good Sam's should consider Washington DC for it's next annual rally in so that a couple hundred thousand of us could drive our RV's through the Capital streets for a few days. ;-)
Iam 57 years old and live in the state of Missouri and when I renewed my class B. comercial licence last year (Sept 06) I had to have a copy of my birth certific and a unpaid utility bill so people it is already taking affect in some states
I am 57 years old and live in the state of Missouri when I renewed mu class B. commercial licence last year (Sept 06) I was required to have a copy of my birth certificate an a current unpaid utility bill so some state are already complying with this new law so people beware it is coming
We want to go full time later this year. That really concerns me. I already do not understand how to full time. We had wanted to buy an RV site in two states if we could pull it off, but I understand those are considered vacation property in some areas. The ones I checked said you had to own a house to own the vacation property. I am totally confused. I need to blog this as well or at least lead them to this post.
It appears a number of states are begining to object to this legislation. Here is a link to an article that cover at least four states that are refusing to participate. http://www.epic.org/privacy/id_cards/
This law not only affect licenses but your ability to have a banking account and purchase stock. If not changed it will make criminals of all of us as we attempt to find ways to get around this law.
Perhaps this is a good time to implement the 'U.S.A. license plate', with proper ID a drivers license could be issued by mail or internet Simplified bill paying and licenses for the rv'er and the constant traveler are the future.
Perhaps this is an opportunity to implement the 'U.S.A. License Plate', and the National North American Drivers License. This could be handled like internet bill pay..with proper ID one could simplify this whole mess. I am not advocating that States drop their revenue machine..just fix it so moving from state to state does not present so much hassel to the constant traveler. Do government plates ring a bell?
Instead of penalizing all of the honest, law-abiding, voting, taxpayers of this country that just happen to live fulltime in an RV, our federal government should do the right thing and round up the illegal aliens in this country and GET THEM OUT! I'm sick and tired of things like air travel and gun ownership being made harder every time some WACKO that doesn't even belong here commits some heinous crime just because our elected officials are more concerned about being P.C. than doing the right thing. All of us had better band together and let our elected officials know what we expect of them.
Where do you pay your personal taxes to and would that receipt work
Where do you pay your personal taxes at and would that receipt work
The following might provide some suggestions to those needing to get licensed.
I returned from CA after 20 years and renewed my drivers license and vehicle registration. The way they did it when I told them that I didn't have a "reguler address" is put "congtinuous traveler" under my name and then Genereal Delivery under that becaue I would be picking up my mail from the post office in another state (Washington). They want the fees!
What I am concerned about is the proposed RFID in the drivers licensse which is supposed to start in 2008??
I think belonging to a recognized and accredited organization such as the Escapees could be the answer. I have been a member for the last two years and it serves me well, especially since it is NOT just a mail forwarding service. We even have our own special zip code (77399) which was established by the USPS just for that purpose.
Why is there a need to prove citizenship? I, jayvincent_arr@yahoo.com, being born on the soil of North Carolina, do not have a driver license, and have not had a problem, even when being pulled over. citizenship, in this case, appears equal with slavery, which their 13th amendment prohibits.
Citizens are subjects. Do your homework.
What about people who live with other people and don't pay the utility bills? Some people have no utility bills in their own names. Kids for one and elderly people living with families or in homes for elderly. Some apartments provide all utilitis?
Don't these politions ever think thigs through before the scew us?
There are also thousands of boaters
who live aboard their vessels full
time and probably other groups as well. I would suggest all should
get together on this problem.
Brian.
As a full-timer, I am domiciled in FL. FL driver's licenses are good for 10 years. Although a temorary solution, I got mine in 2003 so I'll have five extra years to deal with the ID problem by the time I need to renew.
I am not able to have a real street address because I am a victim of domestic violence. If my former husband (of thirty years) was able to locate me my life would be over. If this bill passes I will be in a hopeless situation.
Welcome to my world.
Like the other poster mentioned this is already in operation for anyone with a CDL license.
I have recently changed my license from Maine to Tennessee. I had to prove my street address because I have HazMat on my license. I not only had to prove my street address I had to be fingerprinted and I had to pay for it all. An extra $130 in all over and above the initial cost of my commercial license.
I was told by the TN State Trooper doing my license that a utility bill, 2 pieces of mail w/canceled postal stamp showing the street address or a lease/rental agreement covered my bases. I managed to find a lease agreement on line that I could print off and use. Whew!
Get use to it tho. It's only gonna get worse.
As for a utility bill? I'm sure you have a cell phone. You could ask your provider to mail you a paper bill. And your insurance bill should work also.
"Is this the first step in assigning everyone in the states a number? Maybe they will eventually stamp it on our foreheads like in the bible."
I guess you've forgotten all about your Social Security Number. This number is required for every person in the U.S. (legally), and is one of the first things you do when you have a newborn. Try filing your taxes without a SSN. Try getting a passport. There's very little you can do without a SSN these days. What's the difference between that and a national ID? Big Brother has us in his grasp, and has done so for many years now. Get used to it.
Hey full timers
Calm down, there is always a way for that. We all have an address somewhere.
Also, quit picking on each other.
Those of you who say that we shouldnt have fancy RVs are JUST JEALOUS. IF one goes full time one can afford a large RV.
We have a small motor home 29' but we just prefer a small one
Sarah
I sent an email to Senator Thume of SD concerning this legislation and its possible effect on fulltime RVers. This morning I received a phone call from a staffer in his DC office. She told me that the general purpose was having licences that were formatted the same and that, at best, I might have to show a copy of our contract with the mail service at renewal time. So, seems we should not be adversely affected by this. Time will tell.
Of interest may be:
http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/asection/la-na-realid2mar02,1,5780163.story?coll=la-news-a_section%3A&ctrack=1&cset=true
Since we will have to have a passport to travel out of the country why won't that work? "Which"
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