New York State issues RFID-embedded driver's license

The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) requires that all travelers entering the United States by land or sea show a passport or other approved document denoting citizenship, but in New York State, citizens with one of the new Enhanced Drivers License will be able to cross into the United States simply by flashing the RFID embedded card.

The New York Times says these new cards enable people to travel without a passport between the U.S. and Mexico, Canada, Bermuda, and the Caribbean through land and sea (not air). The RFID chips inside the card don't contain any personal information, according to the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, but they do have a unique number that helps border officers identify you as a U.S. citizen. Many have raised questions about the use of RFID chips in the cards, but a spokesman for New York State's DMV says each card is shipped with a sleeve to prevent transmission of that secure number.

Enhanced Drivers Licenses are good for eight years and available for $30 more than a normal license. Apparently, that's cheaper than applying for a passport, but then again, if you plan to fly to any of these nearby countries your best bet is to get the passport. You can read more about these new type of IDs here.

Link: A New License, for More Than Just Driving

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