Florida Governor Ron DeSantis imposes ban on driver’s licenses from 5 states for ID use
Florida’s new SB 1718 law, enforced by Governor Ron DeSantis, bans driver’s licenses from five states for identification and driving within the state, impacting residents and visitors who must use alternative ID methods.
Since mid-2023, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis implemented a new rule that affects drivers holding licenses from certain states. Under the SB 1718 law, these licenses are no longer valid for driving or identification purposes within the state. Announced in July, this measure is part of a broader effort by the governor to impose stricter regulations on non-national documents. As a result, Florida residents and visitors must adapt to new rules that directly impact their ability to drive and identify themselves within the state.
The law specifically affects individuals from at least five U.S. states. It aims to tighten control over acceptable identity documents in Florida. This article delves into the affected licenses, the consequences for drivers, the reasoning behind the decision, and how this legislation impacts identification processes in the state.
Which states are driver's license banned by Ron DeSantis?
The new law, which took effect in July 2023, prohibits the use of certain driver’s licenses from five specific states. The affected licenses include:
- Delaware: Licenses marked “Driving privilege only” or “Not valid for identification.”
- Hawaii: Licenses marked “Limited purpose driver’s license,” “Limited purpose instruction permit,” or “Limited purpose provisional license.”
- Rhode Island: Licenses marked “Not for federal identification,” “Driving privilege card,” or “Driving privilege permit.”
- Vermont: Licenses marked “Driver privilege card not for Real ID purposes” or “Learner privilege card not for Real ID purposes.”
- Connecticut: Licenses marked “Not for federal identification.”
These licenses are now deemed invalid for use in Florida, meaning drivers from these states will need to find alternative forms of identification to operate within the state.
Implications for drivers and residents in Florida
The implementation of this new law will have significant consequences for drivers with licenses from these states. First, visitors traveling to Florida from one of these five states who need to identify themselves will no longer be able to do so with their driver’s license. Therefore, both residents and visitors will need to use other valid forms of identification, such as passports or other official credentials.
For residents holding one of these driver’s licenses, the change is equally important. In order to continue driving in Florida, they will need to exchange their license for a valid one. This could involve additional paperwork, such as proof of residency, which may result in longer waiting times at the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
Additionally, the restrictions also affect those needing to renew their license or perform other tasks that require identification, which could create inconvenience for individuals who rely on these documents in their daily lives.
What motivated Ron DeSantis to execute this measure in Florida?
Governor Ron DeSantis has defended this action as part of a larger effort to strengthen control over identity documents used in Florida. The decision is part of a broader political context aimed at limiting the use of documents that do not align with federal standards, such as the Real ID system, which has been implemented to enhance security and identity verification across the United States.
DeSantis has argued that this measure aims to reduce the use of documents that, in his view, do not meet federal and state standards. In this context, SB 1718 not only affects tourists and residents from other states, but also those looking to ensure that the documents used to operate within Florida are proper and duly validated.
How the law affects identification in Florida?
Besides the restrictions on driving, this law also impacts identification processes within Florida. For many residents, particularly those who need identification for purchasing goods, voting, or accessing other services, the inability to use certain driver’s licenses could pose a significant inconvenience.
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DMV) has indicated that, instead of these licenses, citizens will need to turn to other documents, such as passports or documents that meet Real ID requirements. This could result in delays and complications, especially for those who do not have immediate access to these other forms of identification.
