Drivers License for Access

Started by PeterB1 • 13 replies • 5081 views

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PeterB1 (Florida)
Posts: 257

Posted:

Does anyone require ID proof (like drivers license) before driving into a condo/HOA? I'm not referring to residents, but guests and especially contractors.

I was thinking of having our gate attendants 'swipe' the license (the equipment exists) and save the data for a couple of days. Then erase what we recorded if there were no incidents.

But, I have questions:

1. Is this legal (we are in FL)?
2. Would it deter crime/illegal drivers?

If you have done this or seen it done, could you relate your experience. Thanks!

BradP (Kansas)
Posts: 2,640

Posted:

I could see issues with frequent visitors getting ticked off...I have no idea the age range there, but lets say my 25 year old daughter and her two kids want to visit the grandparents a few times a week. As an owner I would be upset that my kids would have to get "swiped" to enter. Are you just doing the driver? What about his passengers?

MikeS1
Posts: 668

Posted:

In Virginia, it's my understanding that it's illegal to copy a drivers license, but I know that employers do this for I9s all the time.

BrianB (California)
Posts: 2,820

Posted:

in general, an HOA could do that. the HOA COULD ask all visitors to stand on their head and recite poetry to gain entry too. ANyone who does not wish to part with their license or dignity is free to visit elsewhere.

there may be some problems with the HOA having that authority, but in general, if they own the roads, and do the rule properly, they could do it.

I do not think it's a smart idea. Asking visitors to sign in is one thing, getting personal information from them by swiping a license is above and beyond what most businesses do.

as regards licenses and federal laws, California licenses specifically state on them that they are NOT to be used to establish identification for working legally, while the federal I-9 form specifically says a driver's license is a valid form of ID for working legally. I would point out that is more government efficiency in action (conflicting laws), but i already started that arguement in another thread.

EllenS1 (Florida)
Posts: 1,148

Posted:

I don't know about hoas but I lived in South Florida and we had a guard at the entrance to the lobby who would never let anyone get on the elevator without knowing who they came to see and then called ahead to see if we were home and if it was ok to let them up. As a single woman with a pursuer that came during the day and said he was a "friend." The guard told him if he was a friend he must know that I worked during the day. That setled that and I slept a lot better at night.

By the way the fellow told me later "boy you have good security"..exactly why I moved there.

EllenS1 (Florida)
Posts: 1,148

Posted:

I neglected to say I lived in a high rise condo and no nobody was asked for their drivers' license...that's a bit too much.

KirkW1 (Texas)
Posts: 1,665

Posted:

Quote:

Wow, I would recommend you talk to a real attorney before embarking on any process such as this since you might get sued by a resident for invasion of privacy. You may also want to consider the costs in the event your data is breached.

I wonder what the point of doing this is. The thing is that you have no reason to believe that any wrong doing in the neighborhood is not perpetrated by those who live in the neighborhood. And accusing someone simply because they might be involved just cost the federal government 4.6 million dollars plus court costs before the settlement was reached. And they have some sovereign immunity unlike your HOA.

LaverneB (Florida)
Posts: 129

Posted:

Pete I think this is not a good idea. Check with the police but it may be an invasion of privacy. LaVerne, Fl

DonnaS (Tennessee)
Posts: 5,671

Posted:

Laverne,

Home Depot wanted to give me a whopping credit on a promotion and all that they required was my drivers license number. Guess what, I did not give it to them because when I asked why they wanted it, they said that it was the next best thing to a social security number for tracking people. I would not give it out so easily either. It is scarey these days to know that way too many people know too much about me personally. Credit and Identity theft issues are a nightmare and I don't wish to make it easier than it already is.

CarolF (Florida)
Posts: 435

Posted:

I live in a gated community in central Florida, and yes, we do require that visitors have their driver's license swiped by the guard upon entering. We own the roads. The residents have their own gate area which is opened by RFID stickers on our car windshields. I know of other gated communities in FL using this method. It provides a high level of security and I am very glad that we have it.

BrianB (California)
Posts: 2,820

Posted:

Just curious Carol... do you swipe the license of passengers too?

I am not making "fun", i am honestly curious what people do with vehicles: at a lot of businesses, you sign in for access to the building, etc..everyone who walks in signs in. but with a license check for a car driver, we would only be getting one of the entrants. Does it matter?

CarolF (Florida)
Posts: 435

Posted:

No we do not require that passengers provide drivers licenses. In addition, certain accomodations are made for guests and family members visiting by having up to 30 day paper passes given when so requested by the resident. Registered contractors also may obtain passes. Our community has 1606 members - including individual homes, condos, hangars and a private airport. Our enhanced security features include cameras that record license plates going through the gates. We have our own employees as guards at the gate 24/7, employ a professional Director of Security, and the roads are private. As you can imagine, this is expensive, and perhaps some might not feel the need for this level of security. I like it.

KirkW1 (Texas)
Posts: 1,665

Posted:

I will just say that I don't think that your security measures are actually making your safer. Borrowing from Bruce Schneier I think you have security theater going on. But if that makes you all happy I guess more power to you.

BradP (Kansas)
Posts: 2,640

Posted:

I agree with Kirk. copying a license doesn't guarantee anything, all it gives is a list of names. If you aren't copying licenses of passengers then in theory you only have a record of probably less than half the people that enter your association. I would equate it to having security signs on your property but no alarm on the house, looks good, but if challenged not effective.

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