Here are the new rules to obtain a driver’s license or state ID

There is a lot of confusion and misinformation surrounding Hawaii state IDs and driver licenses. This is to clarify the requirements and explain new changes effective Thursday, May 1.

Residents need only one form of official identification. If you hold a valid driver’s license, you do not need a state ID card.

Obtaining a state ID requires three federal documents:

» Proof of legal name: An original birth certificate or valid passport are the recommended documents to prove you are the person applying for the ID.

» Proof of legal presence: An original Social Security card is the recommended document. This shows that you have the right to be in the United States.

» Proof of principal residence: This is to identify where you call home. You are required to provide two documents showing your legal name and place of residence. Recent utility bills, bank statements, mortgage or rental statements, tax forms, car registration or title, pay stubs, are samples of accepted documents.

The legal name on all documents must be consistent or additional papers may be required such as marriage, adoption, or name-change certificates.

Please note that your valid passport and Social Security card will usually match and will suffice for the first two requirements.

The Hawaii Department of Transportation recently announced changes in driver’s license requirements that make it consistent with state IDs beginning May 1.

This is a good thing. It will ease document confusion as Hawaii moves toward compliance with federally mandated rules. Hawaii is the 20th state in the country recognized as "on track" to full compliancy. Soon, only federally compliant IDs will be accepted to access federal services, including the boarding of an aircraft. For an island community, this is significant. The City and County of Honolulu’s Driver License Section (tasked with issuing state IDs beginning January 2013) has been striving toward compliance for the benefit of all Oahu residents.

So what are the changes as of May 1?

In addition to the first two requirements, the third — principal residence — is now needed to obtain a driver’s license, making it federally compliant. It was previously required only for state IDs.

The new change also aligns fees and expiration terms. Both state IDs and standard driver licenses will be valid for eight years, at $5 per year, for a $40 fee. Certain classes of IDs or licenses have a shorter span, such as youths, seniors and legal aliens, but the fee is a consistent $5 per year.

If one lacks basic documents outlined above, view a list of acceptable alternates by visiting honolulu.gov/csd. The requirements are listed under "Driver License Information."

Once documents are accepted and scanned, they are valid for 16 years. Eight-year card holders will not need documents with the next renewal, but on every other renewal. For those with shorter terms, this may equate to every fourth or eighth renewal.

If you have already provided two residence documents, though not required at the time, they would have been placed on file. If not provided, you will be required to show your residence papers on your next renewal.

The city Department of Customer Service welcomes feedback as we implement these new federal requirements. Training is constant, and we will continue to strive to improve on our level of service to the public.