HELENA — The Department of Homeland Security has granted Montana another one-year extension to meet federal driver’s license rules that were passed 10 years ago to prevent terrorism and identity theft.
Thursday’s letter to Gov. Steve Bullock says Montana-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards will continue to be accepted at federal facilities that are restricted to permitting only Real ID Act-approved documents.
Homeland Security officials say the state meets 33 requirements of the 2005 law but still does not meet eight others.
Montana also was granted a one-year extension in 2015, eight months after federal officials warned the state was out of compliance would be subject to restrictions under the law.
Bullock and Attorney General Tim Fox oppose the REAL ID requirements, saying that Montana’s driver’s licenses are already secure.
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