Really they were just using 9-11 as an excuse to get some standards in DLs. And somewhat it makes sense, DLs were so random in format and style it was basically impossible for anybody to really tell if that DL from a state more than 1 timezone away was real. When 9-11 happened AZ DLs were good until you were 65 with no need for a new photo, and they’d just recently moved away from the hand laminated “student ID” style. They were actually very difficult to use away from AZ because they looked like forgeries.
So at the core it wasn’t a terrible idea. Of course the way government works there’s always that disconnect between idea and execution. Some states just can’t seem to bother to comply, other states actually passed laws refusing to comply, some states say they won’t comply but then do, some states find way to comply that keep their IDs looking weird and defeat the whole purpose. Meanwhile NY still isn’t in compliance, so the deadline will be extended.
I thought NY had the “Enhanced Driver’s License.”
It’s good enough to get into Canada - maybe Mexico too, but no other foreign countries.
I’m not sure how it differs from the regular driver’s license - I assume it’s the same sort of ID as a passport - maybe less expensive though.