August 1, 2007 - The Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) reminds all local residents that the new ASG drivers license (ASDL) is not the same as a territory ID card or another form of a Certificate of Identity (CI) used for travel, despite the fact that it is on-line and accessible to other federal agencies.
“OMV is not a travel agency,” said Fred Scanlan, the OMV project manager who wrote the proposal for the new drivers license program. “The primary purpose of the licenses is to drive, not travel.”
Since the inception of the new ASDL program on June 15, many residents have flocked to the OMV compound in Tafuna to get their new, more modern drivers licenses.
Some however were disappointed to discover that nothing can be processed without the proper paperwork and documents, as the new drivers licenses are made to comply with the emerging Real ID standards.
“Original documents are the only type accepted,”
Scanlan explained. “Situations will be handled on a case by case basis, no excuses.” At a minimum, the following documents should be
provided:
For US Nationals & US Citizens: Passport or Birth Certificate, Social Security Card or W-2 or Pay Voucher that shows the applicant’s social security number, a court clearance, and a legal document that shows a change of name, if applicable.
Aliens or foreigners must produce the same type of documents, in addition to an alien identification card.
“No Alien ID card, no drivers license and the Immigration Office will be contacted,” Scanlan explained.
A court clearance that has been forged and shows no stamp from the court is not valid, and court clearances are only good for five days.
“We cannot change a person’s name without an Affidavit to accompany the applicant’s legal documents,” Scanlan said.
Commercial permits require vision on both eyes and according to Scanlan, this is a statute that was never enforced.
For a private license, those who can only see through one eye are required to see a doctor about taking an eye exam.
“There is no exception to whether you’re a high chief, senator, representative, priest, director, etc. for not having the right documents. Privilege is not a right!” Scanlan stressed.
For those who are entitled to a provisional or learner’s permit, “do not ask for a private license because you’re flying out in a couple of days.
Recommend to get a license when you get to your destination of travel,” Scanlan said.
He explained that the rumor about an increase in cost is not true, but a Public Announcement will be made if and when any increase will be implemented. The new drivers licenses cost $12.
Lastly, an out of state or territory drivers license will be confiscated from any person wishing to obtain a new ASDL. “This is by law. The state license will be sent back to its point of origin,” Scanlan concluded.
As of last month, over 1,600 of the 8,000 licensed drivers in the territory had applied for and received their new drivers licenses.
Local drivers with valid licenses need not rush to get a new one, although everyone must be armed with a new ASDL by 2010.
The new licenses are state of the art and very secure, equipped with numerous features to protect from fraud.
With the issuance of the new ASDLs already in motion, the next step would be to deploy the new vehicle registration and title system.
So far, American Samoa and two other states have accepted and deployed its licenses with the Real ID compliance standards, while the rest of the states and territories are mandated to be in compliance by 2013.
More information on the new ASDL program can be obtained by calling OMV directly at 699-9182/9188.
OMV operates under the umbrella of the Department of Public Safety.
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