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Kokua Line
Question: Last month, I had my Social Security number taken off my driver's license. Recently, the bar code on my license was scanned and my Social Security number appeared on the computer screen. Will Social Security numbers ever be completely removed from driver's licenses? Bar codes hide
Social Security
numbers on
driver’s licensesAnswer: News flash: yes, probably within 90 days, and surely by July 1, Social Security numbers will not appear anywhere on any newly issued driver's licenses, according to David Mau, assistant administrator of the city's Motor Vehicle and Licensing Division
Social Security numbers were required as the visible identification number on all driver's licenses until Jan. 1, when a new state law no longer made it mandatory.
However, based initially on federal law, then as a means of helping law enforcement, Social Security numbers were still being encoded on the bar code on all Hawaii licenses.
The federal Immigration Act had required the Social Security number be placed on all driver's licenses, Mau said. However, that requirement was repealed in 1986.
Federal authorities also wanted the Social Security number placed on licenses as a means of tracking down "dead-beat dads (or moms)," although that was never a requirement, Mau said.
In anticipation of Congress passing a bill to allow government agencies to continue to obtain Social Security numbers for their own records, but NOT to require their placement on anything else, the city will eliminate the numbers from the bar codes, he said.
It will begin using a "bi-dimensional bar code," which will allow the city to encode more information, including everything on the front of the license, but not the Social Security number.
If you don't want to wait until your license expires to get the new bar-coded license, you can renew it earlier for $5.
Q: Most license plates have three letters followed by three numerals. Others have three numerals followed by three letters. Why the difference?
A: Plates beginning with numerals denote commercial vehicles in all four counties; letters first, non-commercial vehicles.
The distinction is made "for law enforcement" -- so that authorities can make sure that the proper taxes are being paid, explained David Mau, assistant administrator for Motor Vehicle and Licensing.
Auwe
On Friday morning, Feb. 9, as I was driving down the road, a rock hit me. Can I sue the guy with the weed whacker that flung that rock at me or sue the owner of the house? People should be aware of this potential danger when working on the side of the road. -- No Name
Mahalo
A few weeks ago, I flew to Honolulu for a medical appointment and errands. My aged maroon Subaru station wagon died as I tried to get into the parking lot at Market City Shopping Center, blocking the entire two lanes heading toward Kapahulu Avenue. Suddenly, three gallant men appeared, directed traffic and managed to get my car off the street and into a parking space. Mahalo to those three gentlemen and to all the drivers who not only refrained from making any disparaging remarks or gestures, but rather looked at my situation with sympathy and understanding. Mahalo to Al Awakuni, my reliable auto service provider, who immediately sent someone who arranged for my car to be towed and repaired and also gave me a ride so I could keep my appointment. -- Sheila Black, Lanai City
Need help with problems? Call Kokua Line at 525-8686,
fax 525-6711, or write to P.O. Box 3080, Honolulu 96802.
Email to kokualine@starbulletin.com