Don't Get Stuck at the Border: Bring Proof of Citizenship Beginning Jan. 31, Says Auto Club

LOS ANGELES, CA, Jan 22 (MARKET WIRE) --
The Automobile Club of Southern California is alerting land and sea travelers
to
Mexico, Canada, Bermuda and the Caribbean that beginning Jan. 31, they will
be required to carry a government-issued photo ID and proof of U.S.
citizenship in order to either enter or leave the U.S.

Sea and land travelers to these regions do not yet need to carry a
passport. But if they don't have a passport with them, they need to have
another form of proof of citizenship such as an original birth certificate or
naturalization certificate. And all travelers aged 19 and over are also
required to carry a government-issued photo ID.

"Identification requirements for travelers have been changing frequently
inthe last couple of years, and travelers need to stay aware of these
changesso they bring the correct documents on their trips," said Diana Meinhold,
the Auto
Club's vice president for travel products and services.

The U.S. government was planning to require all sea and land travelers to
these adjacent international destinations to carry passports as of this
summer. But that requirement has been pushed back to 2009, when a smaller, less
expensive version of a passport -- known as a "passport card" -- should be
available for U.S. citizens to use in lieu of a passport when they travel to
countries adjacent to the U.S.

However, in the meantime, travelers must carry some proof of citizenship
with them if
they travel by land or sea to Mexico, Canada, Bermuda or the Caribbean,
Meinhold said.

The Auto Club also reminds travelers to Mexico that if they plan to drive
their
vehicles there, they need to purchase Mexico auto insurance for their trip.
U.S. auto insurance is not accepted in Mexico, and drivers without auto
insurance
in that country are subject to immediate arrest. The Auto Club offers Mexico
auto insurance online at www.AAA.com or in any Auto Club office.

For more information about the new travel requirements, visit an Auto Club
office, www.AAA.com, or the U.S. Department of Homeland Security at
www.dhs.gov.

CONTACT:
Marie Montgomery or Jeffrey Spring
(714) 885-2333

Copyright 2008, Market Wire, All rights reserved.

-0-