What is the purpose of the Maine Real ID law?

The Maine Real ID law is primarily aimed at enhancing security and identification standards. This legislation ensures that identification cards and driver's licenses meet federal standards, which helps to prevent identity fraud and improve the reliability of the identity verification processes. With the implementation of the Real ID, individuals are required to provide more comprehensive documentation than was previously necessary when applying for or renewing these forms of identification. This increased scrutiny helps align state-issued IDs with national security protocols, especially for activities such as boarding commercial flights and accessing federal facilities. By raising the bar for what constitutes valid identification, the law contributes to a safer environment as it reduces the potential for misuse of identity documents.