Oklahoma’s request for Real ID Act extension denied

[stile99]

The cost of having to upgrade the IT infrastructure is the main reason Oklahoma hasn't adopted Real ID.

That simply isn't true. Real ID was being discussed when Oklahoma installed the first digital driver's license system over a decade ago, a system which has been upgraded at least once since. There were news reports at that time that changes were coming to DL requirements, and Oklahoma specifically made the choice to ignore it. Twice. Once after it was no longer in the discussion phase, but actual law on the books phase. We can debate privacy issues, we can debate identity protection issues, we can debate whatever we want until the cows come home, but what is not up for debate is the fact that Oklahoma has had more than enough time and opportunity to become compliant, and the reason it is going to be a huge cost now is because Oklahoma has refused to do it until it is simply too late.

Is it a bad law? Maybe. Does ignoring bad laws make them go away? Absolutely not. Oklahoma should have learned that better than anyone else. The main reason Oklahoma hasn't adopted Real ID is absolutely not the cost of upgrading the infrastructure if Oklahoma has already spent those costs TWICE. Add to that the infrastructure is already there. Your photo, your fingerprints, your other information, all already stored.

[bombermwc]

That simply isn't true. Real ID was being discussed when Oklahoma installed the first digital driver's license system over a decade ago, a system which has been upgraded at least once since. There were news reports at that time that changes were coming to DL requirements, and Oklahoma specifically made the choice to ignore it. Twice. Once after it was no longer in the discussion phase, but actual law on the books phase. We can debate privacy issues, we can debate identity protection issues, we can debate whatever we want until the cows come home, but what is not up for debate is the fact that Oklahoma has had more than enough time and opportunity to become compliant, and the reason it is going to be a huge cost now is because Oklahoma has refused to do it until it is simply too late.

Is it a bad law? Maybe. Does ignoring bad laws make them go away? Absolutely not. Oklahoma should have learned that better than anyone else. The main reason Oklahoma hasn't adopted Real ID is absolutely not the cost of upgrading the infrastructure if Oklahoma has already spent those costs TWICE. Add to that the infrastructure is already there. Your photo, your fingerprints, your other information, all already stored.

In total agreement here.