I have to admit, that prior to your post, I had never seen the article referring to what you were stating. I will, however, content that despite your article which doesn’t give the criteria, only making a claim, I disagree, still. A driving priviledge card is common in other countries as well. Say, for example you go to another country, and want to drive, but have to government issued ID. They wouldn;t give you the same government issued ID as their citizenry, but you would be issued a driving priviledge card/form if you met their criteria.
That having been said, here is the criteria for the special priviledge card. The copy and paste doesn’t retain the hyperlinks for identity, but if you were to click on it (I did), it still requires the same identity requirements I posted, as of January 2010. Below is the link, and the requirements.
http://publicsafety.utah.gov/dld/drivingprivilegecard.html
NOTE: Effective January 1, 2010 the requirements for obtaining and renewing a driving privilege card have changed due to changes in legislation. Please click here (English) or (Spanish) for a printable brochure for more information on what will be required to obtain and renew your DPC.
A person who would need to obtain a Utah Driving Privilege Card (DPC) would be:
-Individuals who are unable to establish legal/lawful presence and who are ineligible for a US Social Security Number. They must obtain an Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN) from the Internal Revenue Service. Their DPC would expire on their birth date in the first year from the date the card was issued or renewed.
-Individuals meeting these requirements would not be eligible to obtain a Commercial Driver License or Identification Card.
Requirements to be elgible for a DPC are:
*You have to reside in Utah for a period of six months or more;
*Cannot be temporarily assigned to Utah by an employer, religious organization, or government agency;
*You are required to obtain a Utah learner permit or DPC in order to legally drive while here in Utah. The valid DPC allows the holder to operate a motor vehicle in Utah, but may not be used as a means of identification by any Utah government entities;
Documents required to obtain a DPC are:
*Evidence of a driving privilege issued in another state or country or evidence of completion of a course in driver training;
*2 proofs of Utah residency;
*Evidence of social security number or Individual Tax *Identification Number (ITIN);
*Evidence of Identity
I am a retired diplomat. I have lived in 9 different countries for a total of 25 years and have driven in everyone of them. No country issues driver's licenses to people who cannot prove that they are legally in the country.
Rules on foreigners driving vary from country to country. Status of forces agreements, reciprocity, etc. affect what licenses are issued.
Utah is a definite exception with its issuance of DPCs. It is de facto recognition of an illegal's legal status in Utah. They should be arrested and deported, not issued driver's licenses. Utah is in a sense offering sanctuary to these people.