Hello.
The Texas law requiring a thumbprint for a new driver's license
actually went into effect in 1967. From 1967 until 1995, thumbprints
were taken for new licenses but not renewals. In 1995, though, the
Texas Department of Public Safety implemented a new digital system and
started requiring thumbprints for renewals, as well.
From the Texas Department of Public Safety:
"Texas Transportation Code, Section 521.142 (b)(1) requires the Texas
Department of Public Safety to obtain thumbprints for a Texas driver
license. This requirement has been in effect since 1967. In 1995,
statutory authority was passed that allowed the Department to require
the same information for applicants renewing or obtaining a duplicate
driver license. At this time the Department was also allowed to
require the thumbprints when issuing, renewing or providing a
duplicate identification card."
Source: Texas Department of Public Safety
http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/administration/driver_licensing_control/license_issuance/thumbprints.htm
"The authority of the Department to collect thumbprints during the
Driver License process is not a new one. DPS has long possessed the
legislative authority, dating back to 1967 (HB 328, Act of the 60th
Texas Legislature). Anyone who has completed an original license
application since 1968 has released their thumbprints to the
Department, although most people do not remember this.
The Texas Traffic Laws, Article 6687b, Section 6(b) and 18(f) give the
Texas Department of Public Safety the authority to include thumbprints
during the original and renewal driver license and identification card
application process. Recently enacted legislation (Senate Bill 1252)
clarifies this authority and allows the Department to capture
thumbprints on duplicate and renewal driver license and identification
cards in addition to original applications. SB 1252 became effective
on September 1, 1995."
Source: Texas Department of Public Safety
http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/administration/driver_licensing_control/license_issuance/WEBTHUMB.HTM
"In 1995, the Texas Department of Public Safety redesigned Texas
driver licenses and identification cards. Through a new digital
process, photos, signatures and thumbprints are gathered
electronically...
The DPS has had the authority to require thumbprints for original and
renewal licenses since 1967. Applicable laws are listed in the
Transportation Code, Section 521.142(b), and VCS Art. 6687b, Section
6(d). Since 1968, the DPS consistently has required thumbprints for
original licenses. However, they were not required for renewal or
duplicate licenses until the digital driver license system went
online."
Source: "Thumbprints For Driver Licenses," Texas Department of Public
Safety
http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/director_staff/public_information/Fast_facts/Thumbs.pdf
Although Texas Senate bill that clarified the Department's authority
to capture thumbprints on duplicate and renewal driver licenses
actually became effective on September 1, 1995, the Department had
apparently been collecting the thumbprints for several months prior to
that. As early as Feburary 1995, the Austin-American Statesman was
apparently reporting that the Department was going to start collecting
thumprints for license renewals "within a few weeks or months." See
this newsgroup message from February, 1995, archived by Google Groups:
http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&client=googlet&selm=3hbq5v%243e8%40anshar.shadow.net
By June 1995, the thumprinting for renewals seems to have been in
effect. See this newsgroup message from June 5, 1995, archived by
Google Groups:
http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&client=googlet&selm=Hal-0506950145050001%40slip-18-16.ots.utexas.edu
search terms: texas, "public safety", driver's license, fingerprints,
thumbprint
I hope this helps. |
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