Oregon Public Broadcasting

A new type of ID can now be used to cross into Canada by land.  Border officials at Blaine, Washington, unveiled an “enhanced driver’s license” Tuesday with radio frequency tags.  

Patrol officers can scan information on the IDs from up to 30 feet away.

Colleen Manaher is with the Department of Homeland Security.  She says it will vastly speed up the process.

Colleen Manaher: “The use of RFID technology will actually allow us to preposition information to our officers in advance of the vehicle even coming before the booth. So with all of that administrative type of stuff being done, the officers can then concentrate on those travelers that present a higher risk to our security of the United States.”

Adding a radio frequency tag to a driver’s license raises questions about privacy. But Manaher says her department has met all the legal privacy requirements.

Beginning next summer, the documentation required to travel into Canada by land will change. You’ll need a passport, a special nexus card for frequent travelers, or the special RFID license.