The nation is moving closer to federal standards for driver licenses tonight.

But some are asking how much will conforming to Uncle Sam's new rules cost?

And can the state afford it?

Real-ID supporters say it could be a real weapon against terrorism - others say it's a real burden on states and the nation's nearly 200-million drivers - but what about Ohio? Is it ready for the reality of Real-ID?

Real-ID - it's about to be a reality for everyone who wants to get a drivers license and every state that issues them - but is Ohio ready for the rapid three-year ramp up to comply with the long list of federal standards for how the ID's are handed out?

Congressman Mike Turner says, "My understanding is that Ohio is technically in compliance."

And Turner adds that for states that already comply, there will be no financial impact. We called the governor's office to double check and got a call back from the Ohio Department of Public Safety, which said, Real-ID will have a "minimal impact on Ohio."

At the same time it admitted Ohio will need to upgrade its computer systems - and has no idea how much that will cost.

And critics say that's the catch - no one knows exactly how much ramping up for Real-ID nationwide will cost - and no one is ready for it.

Cheye Calvo from the National Conference of State Legislatures says, "We estimate there is a cost between 500 and 750 million dollars over a five year period, and then there will be ongoing costs in the 50-70 million dollars a year range. A lot of that is for new technology."

Other estimates put the total cost in the billions - and critics say Congress hasn't set aside any money to help the state ramp up.

Ohio congressman Ted Strickland says, "I don't think Ohio can or should use their own resources to do that. This is a federal law, a federal mandate if you will and the resources should come from the federal government not be placed on the individual states."

But others say money shouldn't be the issue.

James Carafano from the Heritage Foundation says, "The money argument really doesn't hold a lot of water."

In fact, Carafano says - in the long run - states and taxpayers will see a savings - when the highly authenticated drivers licenses result in less fraud and identity theft.

He also adds, "If a state adopts mechanisms that provide a more secure identification card - what you're going to find in the end it's actually going to wind up saving money through reduction in crime and elicit activity and those kinds of things."

Real ID would require most people to show: photo ID, a birth certificate, proof of social security number, and a document showing full name and address

States have 3 years to comply with new Real ID regulations once the bill becomes law.

If states fail to comply in time, your drivers license can be refused as a valid form of federal ID for things like boarding a plane or applying for federal benefits.

For more information on Real ID click here.