Earlier this month, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published the Final Rule of the Real ID Act which was initially created in 2005. This Final Rule comes after DHS reviewed over 21,000 comments in response to the draft regulations posted in March 2007.

The Rule provides the minimum Federal standards for state-issued driver's licenses and ID cards that the government would accept for official purposes (e.g. as an ID when boarding an airplane).  Though presented as the Final Rule, there seems to be plenty of fudging on the timeline for implementation (not to mention that if some U.S. Senators had their way, the whole Act would be repealed).

Pertinent to international assignees, the Rule states that those who are in the U.S. for a limited time will be issued a driver's license valid for the duration of their authorized stay (i.e. per their visa).  If no specific period is stated the license will be valid for one year.  Assignees will also be required to renew their licenses in person at the DMV, rather than online. 

Expect long lines!

EG