Officials with the Department of Justice are urging residents to continually check the department’s website for current information regarding Real ID compliant identification.

Terry Davis, western regional manager of the Department of Justice / Driver Licensing Bureau, said by visiting doj.mt.gov/driving, residents can stay updated.

Davis explained that the Real ID Act was developed because the federal government “wanted all states’ IDs to be able to protect identity.”

The act was passed in 2005, according to the website.

Initially, the act was viewed as “controversial” in Montana. “There was now a federal database with private information on it,” Davis said.

State legislatures enacted a law in 2007, Davis said, that would not comply with the federal act, making it one of few to do so.

Since then, Davis said that Montana’s practices have already been compliant, but the state has worked toward the federal compliance.

“The public’s opinion has changed about Real ID,” Davis said, adding that Montana residents appear to be “less afraid” of it, and “want it.” (Click to Site)