Enhanced Drivers Licenses

Posted on November 5, 2007 at 8:56 am (PST)

Two states are implementing RFID Enhanced Driver Licenses in 2008. Vermont and Washington have designed these for easier border crossing into Canada and Mexico. Critics charge that the radio frequency identification chips are to be used to monitor shipments of cargo, not people.

The cards transmit a signal with the unique identification number of the license holder up to 30 feet, and can be read by commercially available equipment.

The licenses are completely voluntary, and both Vermont and Washington are going to be offering radio-blocking sleeves to users to allay any privacy concerns.