SPRINGFIELD -- Imagine spending decades safely behind the wheel and then suddenly being told you can no longer drive.  One man from Spokane doesn't have to imagine.

  Because of a law that went into effect three years ago, many Missourians, including Al Freeman, are just beginning to realize its limitations.

  Getting behind the wheel is a privilege that Freeman used to take for granted.

  “I've been driving since I was 16 with no problems,” he said recently.

   After 48 years behind the wheel he found he can't renew his license, which expires next month.

  “I can't prove I'm a citizen. I can't even prove I'm alive,” said Freeman.

  The law that went into effect in July 2005 says anyone applying for a license has to show proof of citizenship or naturalization.  A passport or birth certificate works best.  A Social Security card isn’t enough.

  The law is meant to promote homeland security but also prevents thousands of Missourians from easily renewing their licenses.

  “I think there is detriment to people who have been allowed to come here, get a Social Security number, vote, work, get a job and drive,” said Freeman.

  Freeman is one of them.  He served his country, votes in every election, pays taxes, and even collects Social Security but he has no idea if he's a citizen.

  Freeman was born in Belgium and moved to the United States when he was 2 years old after his mother married an American soldier.

   The problem is he doesn't know if his stepfather ever adopted him, making him a citizen. Trying to find out has resulted in dead end after dead end.

   “It stinks because I've been here all my life and they just push you aside.  They don't seem to care.  I've paid my taxes, I do everything right, but they don't care,” he said.

  To find out the truth could cost him thousands of dollars and potentially take years.   That's money and time that Freeman just doesn't have.  If he can't renew his license, he won't be able to work.  If he can't work, he can't pay his bills.

    “Somehow we need to resolve it so our government feels like it’s protecting citizens and we can help people who have been allowed to stay here,” said attorney Mary Lou Martin.

  “It's not right.  I did my time.  When is it going to be my turn?” asked Freeman.

  Martin is pushing for a change in the law that would allow Missourians who have driven in the state for a number of years without incident to renew their licenses.

  The law exempts anyone over 65 from meeting citizenship requirements.  Freeman is 64.
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  Editor’s note:

   The Missouri law requires all applicants to show proof of lawful presence, proof of identity, and proof of residency before a permit, driver license, or nondriver license can be issued. All applicants must present and surrender their current permit, driver license, or nondriver license, in addition to providing proof of lawful presence.  

   Exceptions: Missourians age 65 or older who are renewing a driver license or nondriver license are NOT required to show proof of lawful presence. Additionally, any Missourian under age 65 without proof of lawful presence may obtain a one-year license IF a 15-year Missouri driving history exists.  The special one-year license cannot be renewed but does provide a full year to obtain the required documents for proof of lawful presence. Click here for more information about the ID Requirement.

   Freeman learned about the one-year license extension after this report aired on KY3 News at 10 p.m. on April 7.  He planned to renew his license for a year so, at the end of the year, he would be over 65 years of age, making him exempt from the law. Then he realized he only has a 12-year Missouri driving history, so he's back to square one. Now he's only able to renew his license for 30 days, which Freeman doesn't think will help him.