DMV Officials Issued Driver’s Licenses for Cash. Why Will REAL ID Be Any Different?

Source: Reason
by JD Tuccille

“In New York, several employees of the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) were recently caught doing the one thing at which government drones seem efficient: corruptly profiting from their positions. They weren’t alone in selling driver’s licenses to ineligible customers; similar stories frequently appear around the country wherever public workers see a way to make a few bucks by providing official identification documents, often in fake names, to anybody with cash in hand. As common as the practice is, it’s an interesting commentary on the long-delayed recent introduction of REAL ID requirements, which are supposed to make us more secure. Sure, they will. Except for that part about workarounds being for sale to all-comers at reasonable prices.” (07/09/25)

https://reason.com/2025/07/09/dmv-officials-issued-drivers-licenses-for-cash-why-will-real-id-be-any-different/