AUBURN - Starting Tuesday, state residents will be able to get an enhanced driver's license through their local Department of Motor Vehicles. Auburn's DMV is excited about the change, said county clerk Sue Dwyer.
Many senior citizens have already called to inquire about the enhanced licenses, she said.
“They are interested because they don't think they will go to a foreign country other than Canada,” Dwyer said.
“This will allow them to go into Canada or Mexico and take a Caribbean cruise, and it's all on one document.”
The enhanced driver's license, which costs $30 in addition to whatever fees are otherwise required for the transaction, gives people more options when it comes to traveling internationally.
It can be used for land or sea travel between Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. For people who do not plan to visit other countries abroad, this is a relatively inexpensive option, considering that a passport can cost up to $100 or more.
“It's a lot cheaper than the passport, especially for those who aren't traveling internationally,” said DMV supervisor Shereen Androsko.
For those wishing to upgrade to the enhanced driver's license, the process is simple.
A person will need to bring one form of proof of identity, one for citizenship, a Social Security card and two forms of proof of residency, Androsko said.
Finally, unlike a passport, if a person loses the enhanced license, it only costs $15 to replace, the same as if they were to lose a regular license. If a passport is lost, the replacement cost is full-price.
One of most important things for the state is getting a secure form of identification for residents wishing to travel, Dwyer said. At this point, there is a plan to launch facial recognition software so that when people apply for the enhanced license, their photo will be cross-checked against a database. If the face is recognized by the software, the person may not be eligible for an enhanced license.
A person's face may be recognized if they already have an enhanced license using another name or possibly if their background check is not clear, Androsko said. She is uncertain when the facial recognition software will launch.
The enhanced license will include a chip that can be read from six to eight feet from the border so it will help expedite the wait time at border patrols. The license will also include an MRZ scan, which is a barcode used at international borders, Androsko said.
An average of $9 from the price of each enhanced license will stay in Cayuga County or the county where a person applies for an enhanced license, she said.
Overall, Androsko is optimistic about the enhanced licenses.
“It's going to be a little bit more convenient carrying one item,” she said. “I think there's going to be a lot of people interested.”
Staff writer Gitana Mirochnik can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 237 or gitana.mirochnik@lee.net
“They are interested because they don't think they will go to a foreign country other than Canada,” Dwyer said.
“This will allow them to go into Canada or Mexico and take a Caribbean cruise, and it's all on one document.”
The enhanced driver's license, which costs $30 in addition to whatever fees are otherwise required for the transaction, gives people more options when it comes to traveling internationally.
It can be used for land or sea travel between Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. For people who do not plan to visit other countries abroad, this is a relatively inexpensive option, considering that a passport can cost up to $100 or more.
“It's a lot cheaper than the passport, especially for those who aren't traveling internationally,” said DMV supervisor Shereen Androsko.
For those wishing to upgrade to the enhanced driver's license, the process is simple.
A person will need to bring one form of proof of identity, one for citizenship, a Social Security card and two forms of proof of residency, Androsko said.
Finally, unlike a passport, if a person loses the enhanced license, it only costs $15 to replace, the same as if they were to lose a regular license. If a passport is lost, the replacement cost is full-price.
One of most important things for the state is getting a secure form of identification for residents wishing to travel, Dwyer said. At this point, there is a plan to launch facial recognition software so that when people apply for the enhanced license, their photo will be cross-checked against a database. If the face is recognized by the software, the person may not be eligible for an enhanced license.
A person's face may be recognized if they already have an enhanced license using another name or possibly if their background check is not clear, Androsko said. She is uncertain when the facial recognition software will launch.
The enhanced license will include a chip that can be read from six to eight feet from the border so it will help expedite the wait time at border patrols. The license will also include an MRZ scan, which is a barcode used at international borders, Androsko said.
An average of $9 from the price of each enhanced license will stay in Cayuga County or the county where a person applies for an enhanced license, she said.
Overall, Androsko is optimistic about the enhanced licenses.
“It's going to be a little bit more convenient carrying one item,” she said. “I think there's going to be a lot of people interested.”
Staff writer Gitana Mirochnik can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 237 or gitana.mirochnik@lee.net
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