Date: Mon, 14 Dec 92 17:47:26 -0500
From: David C Lawrence <tale@uunet.uu.net>
Newsgroups: comp.society.privacy
Subject: More on SSNs as used by VA DMV
Organization: Computer Privacy Digest
X-Submissions-To: comp-privacy@pica.army.mil
X-Administrivia-To: comp-privacy-request@pica.army.mil
X-Computer-Privacy-Digest: Volume 1, Issue 114, Message 1 of 10

I just got back from a pretty lousy experience with the Virginia
Department of Motor Vehicles during which I managed to retain a
remarkable amount of composure while feeling pretty well pissed off
about the whole thing.  Most of the experience has little to do with
this forum, except the issue of Social Security Number use came back
up.  After the next five paragraphs of whining, I will ask for input
from people who have dealt with the VA DMV on this issue before.  The
last 60 lines is a transcript from a DMV form.

What basically happened was the when I asked not to have my SSN be my
driver's license number (DL#) I was told that it must be.  The person
I was dealing with did not seem to have much of a clue about workings
at the DMV in general, but did know enough to immediately offer me the
piece of paper which she claimed mandated it.  It is relatively short,
so I will type it in at the end of this note.  No where does it give
the lawful _basis_ for their insistance that the SSN be the DL#.

I eventually relented just because I've had a lot of hassles about a
lot of stupid things just to get to this point.  I was willing to take
my license with the SSN emblazoned on it, with the thought in the back
of my head that I could get it changed when I came armed with more
information.  

It is with somewhat mixed emotions that I report that my SSN is not
now on my driver's license.  That's because I still don't have my VA
license, due to a continuing comedy of errors that has not been
particularly funny.  

The short form: they told me I could get my motorcycle only license
here by taking the vision test, the motorcycle written test and then
the motorcycle road test --- this all because my NY DL just expired on
my birthday Saturday.  So I took them all today, the examiner approved
me for my VA motorcycle only license, I was in the payment line, they
punched it up, told me how much to pay, I wrote the cheque ... and the
computer won't take it because I didn't take the auto written test.
Now I have to go back for that.  (Stupid questions that don't have
anything directly to do with driving.  "The penalty for a first offense
conviction of drunken driving is ..."  I don't even drink booze!)

I'll get back to the relevant bits.  I expect to be going back
tomorrow to take the auto written and road tests, providing I can find
someone with a car that will go.  Presuming that all goes through, and
that NJ DMV finally tells the National Driver's Registry (or whatever)
that our little disagreement about something that happened in 1988 is
_finally_ cleared up, then I am once again to be faced with actually
getting that little piece of laminated cardboard and having some sort
of number printed on it as my primary form of ID.

What I would really like to know is the magic words to make them not
use my SSN as my DL#.  I am certain I have seen it published here that
some Virginians have accomplished this feat even without having lack
of an SSN as an excuse (which is what Tyson's Corner DMV is telling me
is their exception).  In fact, I thought it was a couple of people
providing first hand accounts of how they accomplished it.  A pointer
to archives of this digest would be a good start (feel free to insert
one here, Dennis), but it would be even better if I could hear from
the other people who have conquered this.

[Moderator's Note:   Location of the archives is put as part of the
banner of the digest.  Thanks for reminding me that USENET folks don't get
the digest.  Here's the banner:


   The Computer Privacy Digest is a forum for discussion on the
  effect of technology on privacy.  The digest is moderated and
  gatewayed into the USENET newsgroup comp.society.privacy
  (Moderated).  Submissions should be sent to
  comp-privacy@pica.army.mil and administrative requests to
  comp-privacy-request@pica.army.mil.
   Back issues are available via anonymous ftp on ftp.pica.army.mil
  [129.139.160.133].

 ._dennis ]


You know you have a sad life when you have the telephone numbers for
three states' DMVs memorised.

David Lawrence

Here is the text of slip of a paper that they gave me.

One side:

                         Commonwealth of Virginia
                        DIVISION OF MOTOR VEHICLES

         The Requirement for Disclosure of Social Security Number
                  CERTIFICATE OF TITLE/DRIVER'S LICENSE

  It is mandatory that all persons who have been assigned a social
  security number and who apply for a Virginia Certificate of Title or
  Driver's License must furnish their social security number on the
  application in accordance with Sections 46.1-52 (Titles) and 46.1-368
  (Driver's Licenses) of the Code of Virginia (1950), as amended.
  Otherwise the Certificate of Title or Driver's License will be denied.

  If you have never been issued a social security number, you will not
  be required to obtain one, but must so indicate on the application.
  In such instances, DMV will supply a control number as the Driver's
  License number.

  The Division of Motor Vehicles uses the social security number as the
  licensee's Driver's License number for record keeping purposes only.

  This information is furnished to you in compliance with Section 7 of
  Public Law 93-579 (Federal Privacy Act of 1974).

The other side:

                         COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA
                       DIVISION OF MOTOR VEHICHLES

                       DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION
          VEHICLE TITLE AND/OR REGISTRATION AND DRIVER'S LICENSE

  The information requested on an application for a certificate of title
  and/or registration or driver's license in accordance with Section
  46.1-52 (Titles and Registrations) and Section 46.1-368 (Driver's
  License), of the Code of Virginia (1950), as amended, is subject to
  dissemination to authorized agencies or individuals.

  Any person who refuses to supply the required information will be
  denied a certificate of title and/or registration or driver's license.

  All registration and title records in the office of the Division of
  Motor Vehicles are public records subject to such regulations as the
  Commissioner may adopt.

  Copies of administrative rules and regulations are available from the
  Division of Motor Vehicles, 2220 West Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia.

  This information is furnished to you in compliance with Title 2.1,
  Chapter 26, Section 2.1-382, Code of Virginia (1950), as amended.
  (Virginia Privacy Protection Act of 1976)

  MOA-50