Maine Seeks Federal Waiver on Real ID Secure Driver Licenses

Maine Gov. John Baldacci has asked the federal government not to penalize Maine travelers if the state fails to make driver’s licenses more secure.

Baldacci sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Homeland Securitythis week. It says Maine law prohibits the state from complying with the Real ID act. It asks that Maine residents not be penalized under federal rules that take effect on May 11.

The federal government says it will impose new travel restrictions on residents of states that do not seek waivers from the Real ID act and will deny them access to federal buildings.

Next Monday is the deadline for states to request waivers that give them more time to comply with the Real ID act.