Driver’s Protection Act
Congress enacted the Driver's Privacy Protection Act (18 U.S.C. 2721-2725) in 1994 after the murder of actress Rebecca Shaeffer. Her assailant obtained her address from the California Department of Motor Vehicles. The Act generally prohibits states from disclosing personal information that drivers submit in order to obtain driver's licenses. "Personal information" under the Act includes an individual's photograph, social security number, driver identification number, name, address (but not 5-digit zip code), telephone number, and medical or disability information. Information on vehicular accidents, driving violations, and driver's status is not "personal information." States must disclose personal information for certain purposes, and may disclose it for a long list of fourteen other purposes. In 2000, the Act was amended to create a new class of "highly restricted personal information." This includes an individual's photograph or image, social security number, and medical or disability information. This information may not be shared without the express consent of the person to whom the information applies, except for four purposes stated in the Act.
