Real I.D. compliance to begin at DMV

This question from Sandra might serve as a refresher: My husband and I renewed our driver’s licenses when our birthdays occurred in February. Both of us are 74. I was told by the DMV clerk that the next time I renew my license ( I would be 78), I will need to supply an original birth certificate and an original marriage certificate, not a copy. Have you ever heard of this?

Well, Sandra, it sounds as if you were partially misinformed by the clerk. Original marriage licenses might be requested from newly married women who changed their last names, according to spokesman Kevin Malone. That actually goes for anyone who is renewing their license for the first time since changing their name. But because, I assume, you’ve been married for years, this should not apply to you.

As far as the birth certificate, this is part of the federal government’s Real ID Act, which stems from the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and goes into effect in January.

Motorists renewing their driver’s licenses during the next seven years will be asked for a passport or their original birth certificate. That is to allow the DMV to issue a driver’s license compliant with federal laws. It will allow you to board an airplane or gain access to a federal building.

The DMV will still issue regular Nevada driver’s licenses without that documentation, but it will not be accepted as identification to board an airplane.

Also, the DMV no longer issues driver’s licenses or identification cards over the counter. They will arrive through the mail within 10 business days of your DMV visit.

John is wondering: Has the ramp from U.S. Highway 95 south to Summerlin Parkway west opened yet? If not, is there an approximate date when it will reopen?

Not quite yet, John. That ramp is scheduled to be closed throughout the rest of this month while the city works on the Tenaya Way overpass crossing Summerlin Parkway. While anything can happen during a road project such as that, the city expects that ramp to reopen in early November.

Speaking of that Tenaya Way overpass, Del has this question: What are they going to do with Tenaya on the south side of the bridge? It is Tenaya for a block then it turns into Antelope, which is speed controlled, and at Charleston it jumps west a block before continuing south. Are they going to have some signage to inform people that Antelope is really Tenaya, and how to find the rest of the street at Charleston?

First off, Del, no new signs. The illuminated street signs in existence have been in that area for decades, so the folks at the city do not anticipate any confusion. The Tenaya Way overpass is being built to provide a convenient north-south route for residents who live in the area.

As Del mentioned, Antelope has speed bumps and there is also a school zone, so city officials don’t believe motorists outside of those nearby neighborhoods would regularly use the Tenaya-Antelope route.

Leslie wants to know how to deal with heavy-footed school bus drivers: I live in a long neighborhood with lots of kids, and I watch schools buses jet down a 25 mph street at 50 mph all the time. Can something be done about that?

Clark County School District spokesman Michael Rodriguez is surprised the drivers would break traffic laws considering “you’re in a big yellow school bus, you’re pretty visible.”

Still, it does happen. Leslie, Rodriguez asks that you, and any other parent with similar concerns, call 799-SAFE.

Take note of the bus number. If that’s not possible jot down the street and the time of day, and the district can determine the driver by the route.

You might reach a voice mail recording, but that line is closely monitored and one of the district’s 21 investigators will look into your concern.

“If someone sees a bus not obeying transportation laws, we definitely want to know about it,” Rodriguez said.

If you have a question, tip or tirade, call the Road Warrior at 387-2904, or e-mail her at roadwarrior@reviewjournal.com or apacker@reviewjournal.com. Please include your phone number.