LEWISTON – Life at the Maine Bureaus of Motor Vehicles in Lewiston and Mexico went on with minimal disruption during the first day that proof of legal U.S. presence was required for getting or renewing Maine driver’s licenses or identification cards.

BMV workers handed out fliers to everyone who entered the office on Monday listing which documents are sufficient to prove Maine residency and legal presence. The law requiring documentation, effective Nov. 15, was passed last spring by the Maine Legislature to help the state comply with federal Department of Homeland Security requirements.

“It’s a good thing for national security reasons,” said Jason Lavoie of Turner, who was seeking a license renewal in the Lewiston office. “I can see it being a hassle for some people, but not for me.”

Lavoie had his passport in hand and moved through the renewal process in less than five minutes once he reached the BMV window. He said he was made aware of the changes by his grandmother, who had read about it in the Sun Journal recently.

Lavoie said the change cost him no extra time or money, since he already had a U.S. passport, which is one of the documents accepted as proof of legal residence. Others include certified birth, naturalization or U.S. citizenship certificates, U.S. citizen identification cards, permanent resident or resident alien cards and employment authorization cards.

Blanche Biker of Auburn said she was a little inconvenienced by the change because she had to wait about half an hour at the Lewiston City Hall on Monday morning to get a copy of her birth certificate before heading over to the BMV to renew her license.

“I’ve been driving for many, many years,” she said. “But we have so many foreigners coming, I think it’s a good idea to have all of this.”

She called it a “sudden change” but was prepared for it on Monday because she had also read about it in the Sun Journal.

Don Cookson, spokesman for Maine’s Secretary of State, said the transition appears to be going smoothly.

“We haven’t gotten a tremendous number of angry phone calls or anything like that,” he said. “I do think the attention provided this issue by our friends in the media have certainly assisted us in our efforts to make people aware.”

Cookson said he credits BMV staff statewide with minimizing difficulties with the public.

“They certainly didn’t ask the Legislature for this law, but they recognize the intent and have worked diligently to make sure they can answer questions for people,” he said.

People looking for a license renewal who arrive at the BMV without proof of legal presence may be issued temporary licenses if their license has or will soon lapse, Cookson said.

“It’s a situational thing,” he said. “But if someone has missed their renewal date or shows up right on the day (it expires) and they don’t have the documents they need, we’ll take those factors into consideration.”

Copy the Story Link