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Reciprocity sought for drivers licenses in Guam and the NMI
A CNMI lawmaker and three four Guam senators are finalizing and intend to introduce mirror legislation to extend non-commercial drivers license reciprocity to residents of the CNMI and Guam.
The reciprocity agreement bill will be introduced in the CNMI Legislature by Rep. Ivan A. Blanco (R-Saipan) and in the Guam Legislature by Sens. Wil Castro, Tommy Morrison, Joe S. San Agustin, and Dennis Rodriguez Jr.
The bill aims to establish programs, agreements, and other privileges that may mutually benefit the people of the Marianas and that are in conformance with the transportation laws of the United States.
Blanco and Castro agree that both island communities enjoy a shared heritage, kinship, trade relations, language, and culture over the millennia.
“This CNMI-Guam effort will benefit students, families, entrepreneurs, and those travelling for medical purposes or whose stay extends past 30 days at a time. This is an initiative that we have been working on for the past few months, and I’m pleased that it is moving forward,” said Blanco.
“I lived in the CNMI and my mother has deep roots here. It’s only logical that if Guam and the CNMI comply with the same U.S. laws, that we should afford each other the same courtesies. By doing so, it builds solidarity between our people, closer relations between our governments, and a spirit of good faith as we grow and prosper together,” said Castro.
Castro is a former director of Institutional Effectiveness at the Northern Marianas College.
The bill requires that persons possess a valid driver’s license for no less than one year and provide proof of U.S. citizenship.
