Senator Benoit’s Bill Requiring Valid Social Security Numbers for Maine Drivers Licenses Rejected

Augusta –Senator Paula Benoit expressed disappointment that Legislative Council, following party lines, refused to allow in her bill that would prohibit the Secretary of State and the Bureau of Motor Vehicles from issuing licenses to applicants without valid social security numbers.

Senator Benoit met with Secretary of State Matt Dunlap in December to discuss her concerns with the 5000 licenses that had been issued to people without social security numbers. At the meeting, Secretary Dunlap assured the Senator that they no longer issue licenses without a valid social security number but at a meeting before the Transportation Committee, the spokesman for the Bureau of Motor Vehicles said that they continue to allow applicants to obtain a license without a social security number.

Calls made to various motor vehicle offices around the state confirmed that applicants without a social security number could simply bring a letter from Social Security Administration stating that they were denied a social security number and they would be issued a Maine license. In addition, the Social Security Office has stated that they receive numerous calls from people requesting the letter denying them a social security number so they can use it to get a license. The Social Security administrator also said that many of the applicants have used the same address as a residence which, upon investigation, turned out to be non-existent.

"I don't want to deny licenses to legitimate applicants who are citizens or legally in this country with valid visas," stated Benoit. "I do object, however, to Maine becoming a haven for people looking for a means to establish a legal identity who are in the country illegally.

Not only is the license used to set up a legal identity, it also can be used to buy firearms in the state of Maine and then transport them to other states with tougher gun control laws."

The Transportation Committee is considering a proposal to tighten the residency requirements for a Maine License, but this will merely require that the applicant show some proof that he or she live in the state. While this is a small step in the right direction, it will not help determine if people who are applying for a Maine license and thus establishing credentials for all sorts of activities, are here legally.

Benoit sited the recent news story about the man who was issued a Maine license and stayed after his Visa expired and then used that license to buy a gun and attempted to rob a Bank of America branch in Bangor. "If his license had been timed to expire when his visa ran out, he could not have purchased the gun to commit the robbery. A simple administrative adjustment would have prevented a potentially deadly situation," said Benoit.

"This is clearly an issue that needs more discussion and a resolution that safeguards Maine citizens. I will be presenting this legislation next Legislative session when we do not need permission from Legislative Council to introduce a bill."

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