Mennonnites Leave Missouri Over Drivers' Licence Requirement

The Mennonite community in Randolph County, Missouri is moving to Arkansas because Missouri's 2004 drivers' license law requires them to be photographed in violation of their religious beliefs. Yesterday's Columbia (MO) Tribune reports that the move comes because of a change in Missouri law made in anticipation of the requirements of the federal Real ID Act. Under prior law, Mennonites could obtain a complete religious exemption from the photo requirement. Now they can get a personal drivers' licence without a photo on it, but they are still required to have a picture on file with the state. Arkansas may well move to the same photo requirement when the federal requirements become effective in 2008. But as of now the Mennonites can get a 6-year Arkansas license with a full religious exemption from photos. Mennonite Frank Christner explained: "We can either stay here and struggle or move to Arkansas and have at least six years to drive and work."