Real ID, which requires states to unify standards for their driver’s licenses and identification cards by 2008, poses challenges that differ for each state. Something that will prompt a costly overhaul in one state might be easier to implement elsewhere. But just about every requirement is considered a hurdle somewhere.

Among the trickiest issues:

– States will have to consult multiple databases to check the accuracy of birth certificates, Social Security cards and other documents submitted by license applicants, then retain copies of those documents for at least seven years.

– States will have to network their records systems and tap into national databases in order to share driving histories, track duplicate or fraudulent applications and ensure that licenses expire when legal immigration status expires.

– Since no more nicknames or abbreviations will be allowed on licenses, cards have to be redesigned and databases must be reprogrammed to make room for extremely long names, likely up to 125 characters.

– Names on licenses and Social Security cards will have to be in sync. That rule already prompted confusion in Alabama, where officials trying to get an early start on Real ID notified 65,000 people that their licenses had “incorrect” information that had to be fixed before they could renew. The recipients included women who had changed their last name on one card but not the other after a marriage or divorce.

– Many of these overhauls will force states to incur expenses from renegotiating or changing contracts with outside vendors.

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