Audit Finds Unqualified Arizonans Received Driver Licenses, Including at Least One Foreign National

A new report from the Arizona Auditor General reveals that private companies authorized by the state’s Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) have issued credentials or documents to people who were unqualified, including at least one foreign national.

The Auditor General warned that “consistently” allowing vehicle titles, driver licenses, and identification cards to unauthorized individuals or entities will increase numbers of “unsafe drivers, vehicle and identity theft, fraud, and terrorism.”

In a review of just 130 transactions, the audit determined that 25 applicants – or 19 percent – failed to prove they were qualified to receive the documents, including 22 transactions containing what are considered “high-risk errors.” This could mean that requests for vehicle titles were missing documentation or odometer disclosure, potentially leading to fraud, or that a person requesting a driver license or identification card could be passing off a fake identity, or have failed to pass road or vision screening.

Of the highlighted transactions, four individuals received driver licenses or identification cards “without sufficient identity or residency documentation,” including a foreign national who received credentials allowing access to sensitive U.S. military and energy facilities.

According to the report, “a third party issued a Travel ID driver license to a customer who was a foreign national with temporary authorization to work in the U.S. without obtaining all required residency information.” Auditors note the third party did not require the applicant to provide an “unexpired U.S. Visa and foreign passport to prove their identity.”

The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) explains that a Travel ID proves the cardholder “provided proof of identification to ensure the license or ID meets strict federal requirements for access to federal buildings and airports.” The auditors note that requirements for the Travel ID were instated to prevent terrorism in the wake of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States.

The American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrator (AAMVA) reports that phony driver licenses and identification cards are highly sought by criminals, as they can be used for identity fraud, or to access sensitive federal buildings and airports under false pretenses.

Auditors determined an additional eight individuals received driver licenses without proving they could safely operate a vehicle, including five who did not prove they passed a behind-the-wheel “skills test,” two who did not have proof of a vision screening, and one without proof of passing the skills test or a knowledge test. MVD did not address five of the transactions, and claimed the remaining three “did not have errors,” according to the report.

Another 10 individuals or entities received vehicle titles without providing the necessary documents to prove lawful transfer of ownership, per the audit. According to ADOT, required documents include a signed, completed Title and Registration Application, a signed vehicle title, a release from any liens, fees for the title and registration, and any other necessary legal documents.

MVD also failed to ensure third parties follow its own quality assurance program, with just 12 percent of transactions highlighted for self-review actually being examined, leaving the problems undetected by MVD.

Third party contractors are licensed by the MVD, and issued 36 percent of all documents requested by Arizonans in 2022, according to the Auditor General’s report.

Responding to the audit, MVD Director Jennifer Toth reportedly did not dispute the findings, and promised to follow the report’s recommendations for better oversight.

Laws for receiving driver licenses vary wildly from state to state. To receive a full driver’s license in Arizona, applicants must provide critical information proving legal residency, potentially a birth certificate or certificate of naturalization, as well as two documents proving Arizona residency.

Neighboring California, however, has issued driver licenses to more than 1 million illegal immigrants since 2015, when the state passed a law eliminating its legal resident requirement for such licenses.

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Tom Pappert is a reporter for The Arizona Sun Times and The Star News Network. Follow Tom on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].