Wow, in your neighboring state they are the same price as a regular renewal

The goal was to require them to get through security at places like airports, being accepted where a regular drivers license was not. The RealID act is requiring the enhanced ID's for accessing federal facilities, boarding federally regulated commercial aircraft, and entering nuclear power plants.

But because so many states are saying we won't participate, they can't possibly meet their deadline. Supposedly, you will need the Real ID compliant ID's in 2017, either something like an enhanced drivers license or for those who don't have it a passport or passport card. That was when they thought all the states would be like sheep and just go along with it.

If they implement it, there is an advantage in that you can use your enhanced license to get through airport security, the regular license you would no longer be able to use. The question of course is will they be able to implement it with so many states saying stuff it.