Two men convicted of LA-Kidnap-murders to face death penalty

Apart from Canadian applicants, many applicants whose proof of identity is an identity document issued by a foreign government are now excluded from obtaining a driver’s license. Nevertheless, like their Canadian counterparts, they are willing and able to prove their identity through foreign identity documents, and prepared to subject themselves to the rules and regulations governing operation of a motor vehicle. The exclusion of these individuals from access to a driver’ s license is viewed by many as a threat to public safety, creating conditions that encourage unlicensed, unregistered drivers, drivers with improper vehicle insurance, and an environment propitious for fraud and corruption. DPS enforcement of the restrictive rules has led to complaints of lack of access and of excessive scrutiny of documentation, raising privacy and anti-discrimination concerns in addition to denial of access. The lack of access to a Texas driver’s license undermines public trust and cooperation with local law enforcement, and makes those affected more vulnerable to becoming victims of crime. DPS has also been criticized for its willingness to work with the Canadian government but not with other governments to satisfy verification concerns of foreign identity documents. This legislation resolves these contradictions by instructing DPS to accept foreign identity documents that contain the photo, full name, and date of birth of the applicant, provided the issuing government is willing to verify the document upon request of DPS.

“All in all, I think that HB 256 would put all those residents in Texas on a level playing field with their Canadian counterparts living in this state when it comes to obtaining their driver’s licenses, learning about our highway driving laws, and becoming safer and more responsible drivers, by obtaining the required insurance coverage that will cut down on the increased costs caused as a result of uninsured drivers and property damage because of the lack of insurance,” concluded Rep. Alonzo.