With 46 out of the 56 US states and territories having expressed their inability to issue enhanced drivers' licenses, through the REAL ID Act, by the December 31 deadline, the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Friday extended the deadline.

Passed under the Bush administration, the REAL ID Act necessitated a more secure drivers' license by January 1, 2010, but a number of states, including New Mexico, happen to be still far from being compliant.

For obtaining a valid drivers' license under Real ID, verification of the applicant's name; date of birth; primary address; photo identity document; and Social Security number, or Social Security ineligibility proof, are required by each State.

In a statement pertaining to the extension of deadline, Deputy Press Secretary Matt Chandler said: "In order to ensure that the millions of Americans traveling this holiday season are not disrupted, DHS is extending the Dec. 31 REAL ID material compliance deadline. The May 10, 2011 deadline for full compliance remains in effect, and the department will continue to work closely with states to meet this deadline."

The announcement about the extension came as a result of the December 16-dated letter sent by National Governors Association (NGA) to DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano. The letter noted that the despite the request for extension, the governors would continue to work with the DHS and Congress "to find a solution to the problems of REAL ID."