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DMV receives federal grant for security enhancements
to Idaho driver's licenses

The federal Department of Homeland Security recently notified ITD and the Division of Motor Vehicles of a grant award to make security enhancements to Idaho’s driver’s licenses and identification cards.

ITD originally requested $755,000 for overt and covert security enhancements to licenses and identification cards, explained Ed Pemble, manager of Driver Services. The award announced earlier this month, was for $833,717, an amount higher than expected. A number of states received larger grants through a redistribution process.

Since the grant application was submitted, it has been determined that some of the enhancements initially envisioned for the grant funds did not require additional funding, Pemble said. That will enable the division to review issuance processes and to make additional enhancements. Funds also could be used for some of the costs related to Idaho’s transition to “central-issue” driver’s licenses. (See separate story.)

“We appreciate the flexibility of the grant and the discretion allowed by DHS to direct grant funding to the most pressing driver’s license needs related to driver license security.” Pemble said.

Grant receipts can be utilized over a three-year period, beginning Oct. 1.