Conn. DMV causes confusion with new primary document policy

In December 2009, the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) changed its list of acceptable

forms of primary identification to include valid passports from nations other than the United States or Canada.

The move by the agency, known for its confusing practices and requirements, allowed thousands of immigrants across the state who had valid passports to register their cars and supposedly transfer a non-expired, out-ofstate driver’s license to Connecticut.

On January 15, Tribuna conducted an e-mail interview with Kelly Manning, spokesperson for the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles, about the new policy.

Manning confirmed, “The policy for allowing passports from nations other than United States or Canada as an acceptable form of identification for registering a vehicle went into effect on Dec. 15, 2009.” She said the agency defined a valid passport as a document “issued by an official agency (not fraudulent) and [that needed to] be unexpired.” She also replied that a valid passport was an acceptable form of identification for transferring a nonexpired, out-of-state driver’s license since it was a “primary document.” The end of the article referred readers to the agency’s website for a complete list of the DMV’s Acceptable Forms of Identification, since the information she provided was featured on the DMV web page.

On the surface, the change appeared to make things less complicated for immigrants who drive. In reality, however, it did just the opposite — even for the department’s spokesperson.

After the Tribuna published the article, “DMV changes primary identification requirements for immigrants” on Jan. 20, its newsroom received more than 100 phone calls from readers who had gone to the Danbury and Waterbury DMV branches and were unable to transfer their non-expired, out-ofstate driver’s license to Connecticut. A week later, we began receiving phone calls from readers that the agency had also told them that they were unable to register their cars using a valid passport as a primary document.

The office of the Commissioner of the Department of Motor Vehicles was contacted again. Questions to clarify the confusion were once again submitted by the Tribuna, and instead of a detailed reply, Bill Seymour, chief spokesperson for the department, attached the current policy in effect and stated, “The first explanation in our email and on our website was confusing and did not exactly explain our process completely and clearly.”

Indeed.

On Jan. 29, the DMV website stated, “There has been some recent confusion on the DMV website regarding the proper identification needed for registering a vehicle in Connecticut. Identification is required when registering a vehicle in the state.”

All told, the DMV has changed its website information regarding acceptable forms of identification a total of three times since Dec. 23, 2009 — barely a month ago. Meanwhile, Connecticut residents are left confused and unhappy with the agency’s lack of organization.

WhAT IS VALID?

According to Seymour, a valid passport with a visa can be used only when obtaining a driver’s license. It is NOT an acceptable form of identification for registering a vehicle. To repeat, in terms of proof of identity for a driver’s license, a valid passport is acceptable (if a foreign passport, it must include appropriate U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) documents, as specified in more detail on the DMV website).

But now, to register a vehicle in the state, a Connecticut resident must present his or her valid Connecticut license or ID card with photo as his or her form of identification. Any Connecticut resident without a Connecticut driver’s license or photo ID card must obtain one to be eligible to register a vehicle. Within 30 days of moving to Connecticut, new residents must obtain a Connecticut license or ID card for transacting registration business at the DMV. The Connecticut license is required to legally operate a vehicle in the state.

If someone is an out-of-state resident with a valid out-of state (or Canadian) license or ID card with photo, or possesses a U.S. Military ID (either active or dependant), those documents can be used when the vehicle will be kept in Connecticut. This documentation is needed to verify that a person is not a Connecticut resident and has residency elsewhere.

If someone does not have any of the required forms of identification, he or she can request an administrative review to determine eligibility to register a vehicle. The review process will determine whether you are a Connecticut resident and subject to state law regarding residency for registration requirements, the need to register the vehicle in Connecticut, and who will operate the vehicle and whether that individual is properly licensed.

Among the questions submitted by the Tribuna to the Department that were left unanswered, was an inquiry on the measures the Connecticut DMV has in place in order to comply with the REAL ID Act (minimum standards for state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards established by the Department of Homeland Security in 2005). The deadline for compliance is May 11, 2011, and until then, although the state has yet to figure it out its own standards, that question will have to remain unanswered.