Autoblog

New York has now become the second state in the country to offer RFID-embedded driver's licenses. Following Washington State's lead last year, the radio-frequency identification (aka RFID) licenses will be offered at a $30 premium over the standard driver's license. The benefits of the RFID license include their ability to do double-duty as a driver's license and a U.S. passport for those who frequently enter New York from Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean (of course, you will still need a "real" passport to enter the state from other international destinations). Authorities say that only an ID number, no personal info, is stored on the chip. Regardless, as some embedded chips may be read from a distance -- and not necessarily a direct line of site -- authorities in New York will still offer standard licenses for those on the paranoid side... or they can run out and purchase an RFID-blocking wallet. Thanks for the tip, Yash!

[Source: Car Tech, Photo from New York DMV]

Thousands apply every year to get an American passport, and likely just as many pursue European Union documents. The Swiss passport is said to be one of the most sought-after in the world, but we've come across a different passport that we'd rather have. It's more exclusive, gives you access to the best places and gets you around fast. It's not issued by an independent country, but might as well be: the Rosso Passport, only from Ferrari.

Our friend Carlos Cristofalo at the Argentina Auto Blog (no relation, although the resemblance is uncanny, we know) was interviewing former F1 driving ace José Froilán Gonzalez, who during his 1950's racing career drove five seasons for Scuderia Ferrari, another three for Officine Alfieri Maserati, scored 13 grand prix podium finishes, including two checkered flags, and drove to victory in 1954 at Le Mans. During the course of the interview, Gonzalez pulled out a small, scarlet-covered booklet which was presented to him by Ferrari upon his retirement.

According to Gonzalez, Maranello doesn't give these away very freely, and with good reason. The Ferrari passport gives its bearer entrance to the factory, unrestricted access to all the restricted areas, and no-questions-asked carte blanche to borrow any of the cars in the factory's fleet. Just, er...bring it back in one piece, please?

The one question lingering on our minds now is, who do we have to marry to get one of these?

[Source: Argentina Auto Blog]