ATLANTA — Rep. Jan Tankersley, R-Booklet, has responded to constituents’ concerns of new documentation requirements for obtaining and renewing driver’s licenses.

Under the new, federally mandated program, Georgians wishing to renew their driver’s licenses must provide documentation proving their identities, full legal names, current residential addresses and Social Security numbers.

“Misinformation is running rampant about the new driver’s license requirements and causing a lot of confusion,” Tankersley said. “Congress is forcing the states to follow policy changes that implemented in response to the 9/11 Commission.

“If (Department of Drivers Services) did not implement these changes, the federal law passed by Congress would make it impossible for Georgians to use their driver’s licenses or state-issued identification to go through airport security, board airplanes and enter federal buildings. This federal initiative left DDS no choice and tied the hands of the General Assembly.”

The program is mandated by the Federal Real ID Act of 2005. Under this federal law, Georgia driver’s licenses and identifications must meet upcoming federal requirements for air travel security screenings and entry into federal buildings. Congress passed the act in response to the 9/11 Commission’s recommendations. The act prohibits the federal government from accepting driver’s licenses/IDs issued by noncompliant states to board commercial flights or enter federal buildings.

In compliance with act, as of July 1, anyone needing to apply for their first driver’s license or renew an expiring existing driver’s license must visit a DDS customer service center in person. As a part of the new protocol, customers must also prove their identity and full legal name, Social Security Number and residential address. Once those requirements are met, drivers will not have to repeat the process for subsequent renewals.

Customers may prove their identity and full legal name by providing either an original or certified copy of their U.S. birth certificate, a valid U.S. passport, a certificate of citizenship or other immigration form.

To prove their full SSN, customers must bring either their Social Security card, W-2 form with their full SSN, a paycheck showing their name and full SSN or documentation from the Social Security Administration displaying their name and full SSN.

For more information, go to www.dds.ga.gov/SecureID or call 1-866-754-3687.