Driver's Licenses Are A Terrorist Weapon Of Choice

New York, NY—October 22…Congress must act on a key 9/11 Commission recommendation to make it harder for terrorists to get driver’s licenses or risk potentially catastrophic consequences to the nation, the Coalition for a Secure Driver’s License (CSDL), a not-for-profit organization working to keep licenses out of the hands of terrorists, today warned.

The group, which includes 9/11 family members, made its remarks as the House of Representatives and Senate prepare to hammer out details on bills based on recommendations from the 9/11 Commission, including the creation of national standards for acceptable forms of personal identification states would have to require from people applying for licenses.

“Eighteen of the nineteen 9/11 terrorists boarded those airplanes using driver’s licenses they never should have been issued,” said CSDL President Amanda Bowman. “After the attacks, it was learned that the terrorists possessed 63 licenses from states all across the country. And it was clear why they got them: The driver’s license is America’s internal passport, our de facto national identification card that allows holders access to airplane travel, truck rental, sensitive government and commercial buildings, wire transfers and a host of other terrorism tools and targets. The driver’s license is a terrorist weapon of choice, and Congress must act on that reality,” Ms. Bowman continued.

The CSDL today also released a national survey showing that 73% of Americans “very strongly” or “strongly” agree that states should require more and better forms of identification before issuing driver’s licenses to prevent terrorists from getting them (an additional 17% “somewhat agree”). Seventy-five percent of those surveyed said they would be “extremely” or “very” willing to submit a social security number or birth certificate when applying for driver’s licenses, and 82% said they would be “extremely”, “very” or “somewhat” willing to submit a thumbprint or facial scan before being granted a license, if it would help screen for terrorists. Seventy percent of those polled said they would be “much less” or “somewhat less” likely to vote for elected officials who make it easier for people to get licenses.