Effective July 14, 2013, Idaho is now the 3rd state to join the Records and Information from DMVs for E-Verify (RIDE) Program, which gives employers the ability to validate an employee’s driver’s license, driver’s permit, or state-issued ID card (if presented during the I-9 process) against Motor Vehicle Agency (MVA) data. RIDE was designed to strengthen E-Verify’s inability to detect certain types of document fraud. The process itself is fairly simple (and invisible) to the employer. Yet the larger question remains as to whether it will actually improve E-Verify’s accuracy or just create another potential mismatch scenario for work-authorized individuals. If an employee presents a driver’s license, driver’s permit, or state-issued ID card during the I-9 process, the employer is prompted to enter the document number and expiration into the E-Verify system, which will automatically check against MVA records. Although the RIDE program does not actually display the driver’s license photo, the system will check to see if the data itself is valid and issue a tentative nonconfirmation (TNC) if there is a mismatch. As with any additional verification check, there is always a risk that more individuals will receive TNCs and FNCs due to data entry errors in the MVA system. It is therefore extremely important that employers strictly follow the TNC process instructions to avoid any possible issues of denied employment or even discrimination claims.
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