There is indeed a difference in a variety of places and ways.

All types of above-mentioned IDs issued by US states still do work for people to get across the borders from the US -- to Canada and to Mexico -- when driving or walking across the borders and also presenting a birth certificate indicating US place of birth.

Even if someone doesn't have a passport or an enhanced license, US border patrol cannot turn away a US citizen since they have the right to re-enter the US.

This is true, but such re-entry will not be as smooth as if you had a WHTI-compliant document. If you don't mind a secondary inspection every time you are returning from Mexico or Canada, then usual DL + birth certificate will indeed be enough.

Does this mean such IDs are not valid even to apply for a passport? Does it also mean that other states may refuse accepting these IDs as well?

It would be valid for a passport with all the other associated documents you need to provide, and would be valid for other states as proof to drive in Connecticut. Ir shows to whoever you are showing it to that to the State of Connecticut, you are who it says you are on the license. It does not verify your citizenship or does not verify your address.

It may (may being the key word here) not be valid to get through security to get onto an airplane, and it may (again may being the key word here) not be valid to enter a federal building where you have to show ID.

If that ever happens (which it probably won't) it can't happen for years, as Connecticut for example just started issuing the SelectID's in October, and it won't be available to everybody for another five or so years (as their licenses come up for renewal). Indeed, you can not even apply for one until the 60 days before your current license expires.

After (or should I say "if") REAL ID takes effect, the federal government will not accept non-compliant IDs for "official purposes" as defined by DHS. The list of official purposes commonly given in the media says "accessing a Federal facility; boarding a commercial airplane; and entering nuclear power plants."

If a large number of states can't/won't participate, then the list of official purposes will probably be very short.

Re-entry has been as smooth as if you don't have the WHTI, before the US government came up with the WHTI to try to get other governments to do what te US government wanted it to do.

Even after the WHTI-compliance documents were created, not every surface border crossing into the US using a DL+birth certificate involves a secondary inspection.

The federal government will be no less fickle with US citizens without a "REAL ID"-compliant if/after it goes into full force -- an implementation not expected in full unless at least two-thirds of the states and the population jump on the bandwagon. Even then it will always be littered with exceptions.

The federal government has complicated things enough such that: most adult US males have unwittingly become violators of federal law; and much of what Congress wants is littered with exceptions because of what Congress, the Executive Branch or the Courts have done before or since. This will be no different.

The country's body of laws and regulations has become so complex that these kind of whimsical outcomes are what people are left with, with or without an "enhanced driver license".

With the additional paperwork and presence items required to get an "enhanced" driving license, the OP is in good company of many who aren't doing it and won't be doing it anytime soon.

Uh oh
 

I'm resurrecting this thread because my daughter just renewed her Connecticut DL. It clearly states: Not Valid For Federal ID." Does this mean she can not use this DL for ID at TSA? The TSA website is not clear on this issue.:confused:

YES, she can use it for TSA for the time being. She will be able to use her normal (non-REAL-ID-compliant) Connecticut DL for TSA until 2017, the final deadline by which all states are required to offer REAL-ID-compliant documents. Beginning in 2017, she will need to use a different form of ID, such as a passport, passport card, GE card, etc. in order to clear TSA checkpoints.

Actually, the "deadline" is December 2014. Needless to say, many states are not ready and the deadline will likely be extended again, like it has been several times already.

The December 2017 deadline is only for those born before 1964.

A government contractor here. Heard at work the othe day that "some" government agencies will require Real ID for entrance to their buildings September 1, 2014.

If I had a RealID DL, then would there be a point in getting a passport card? If I was traveling by car to say, Canada, could I get in with just a Real ID DL? Or would I need a passport to enter, and just be able to use the DL to leave? (If the latter, it sounds kind of useless)

If I do not have a DL that complies, does that mean I can never visit a federal facility? Or can I use a passport? If someone doesn't have a passport are they SOL or can they show a DL + other stuff to gain entrance?

I believe you're thinking of an enhanced DL. If you have an enhanced DL, you don't need a passport card as an EDL is a fully WHTI compliant document. As the Canadians also issue EDLs (to Canadian citizens), you should be able to get into Canada with it.

If you don't have a REALID DL, then a passport or passport card can be used to access federal facilities. If you don't have any of those documents, then federal facilities are off-limits.

Thanks for the clarification. It makes me feel better knowing if my state decided to go full tea party, I can always use my passport. And if they do comply, I know not to bother paying extra to get a passport card when I renew... :)