While the state would be collecting more revenue if it enacted a shorter renewable period, it could result in a net loss.

The entire licensing process is expensive, from staffing AZMVD offices to creating secure IDs.

“In the last few years, the security protocols have gotten more and more significant and that means the production has to come with all the holograms and other security measures that are embedded in a credential,” Gordon said. “It’s a very robust process.”

The cost factor led the Maryland Legislature to change its renewal period from five years to eight years in 2012, and said it would save the state millions of dollars.

“I don’t think it was the intent of the Legislature or any state agency to try and drive more money into the state by causing people to come in more often,” Gordon said.