RFID Enhanced Drivers Licenses Replace Passports

Only six months ago, the Secretary of state for Michigan began taking applications for RFID chip enhanced drivers licenses. Since then, over 80,000 applications have been received, and the trend is growing. Why are so many people in Michigan switching over to these high-tech drivers licenses? The main reason: to replace their passports.

The enhanced drivers’ licenses are embedded with a small Radio Frequency Identification chip, (RFID) and an antenna so they can be scanned quickly by an electronic RFID reader. Contained in these paper-thin chips is the same information that would be found on your passport, as well as your basic drivers’ license information.

RFID Chips can vary in size, and can store different volumes of information. These chips can only be read by RFID scanners within the antennas range, which in the case would only extend a few feet around the ID. RFID chips are being implemented in various institutions around the world to improve efficiency and to save time and money.

What this means for the citizens of Michigan is, for a small fee of $45, they can now get an RFID equipped drivers license that will be accepted as a passport, and can be used to leave and re-enter the United States by land or sea (This license is not yet acceptable for international flight because it is not federally approved yet for security reasons). With the enhanced drivers’ license, citizens can come and go from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and many other Caribbean countries with ease.

Instead of the traditional passport, where customs officials would have to verify authenticity, possible background check, stamping etc, all that will be done to cross the border is scan your drivers’ license.

Not only should this make traveling in and out of the country less stressful, but it should also speed up the process as a whole. US Customs and Border protection support the enhanced license, saying that the new system is faster and provides all necessary information to agents on the spot.

If this trend continues, I would not be surprised to see more states around the country offer enhanced drivers’ licenses, and possibly even a federally approved replacement for the passport for all citizens, although no such plans are currently being taken.

This is another great example of how RFID technology can be applied to make our everyday lives just a little bit easier. For more information or questions related to RFID technology, contact the experts at Adazon.

Click Here for getting more information related to Food & Beverage Labels

Our Other Products: Direct Transfer Labels, Preprinted Barcode Labels, Thermal Transfer Labels, Barcode printer, Zebra barcode printer, Barcode ribbon, printer ribbon, Label Rewinder, Barcode Ribbon, Thermal Transfer Ribbon, Flexible Packaging Ribbon, Near Edge Ribbon

Comments

  1. Pingback: Enhanced driver's license replaces passport Sign In Your Online Account - loginrecords.com

Leave a Reply