NEWS AND INFORMATION
Drivers License Case Update: Protecting Constitutional Rights of NH Residents
Drivers License Case Update: Protecting Constitutional Rights of NH Residents
On March 31, 2006, the Federal District Court issued an order on Fahy, et al v. Commissioner, New Hampshire Department of Public Safety. The Court ruled that it was a violation of constitutional equal protection safeguards for the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to issue paper 45-day temporary licenses to non-U.S. citizens when U.S. citizens received 6-month laminated licenses. It found that the DMV had addressed its most glaring practices during the course of the lawsuit. The Court also ruled that, in light of the goals of Real ID, the DMVs practice of requiring non-U.S. citizens to apply for their initial licenses in Concord was constitutionally permissible. In April, the plaintiffs filed a motion requesting that the Court amend certain aspects of its order. The Commissioner has filed an objection to that motion.
