AUGUSTA – Maine’s top motor-vehicle official is going on cable TV to explain the state’s new requirements for driver’s license renewals, designed to help the state comply with the federal Real ID law.

Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap may become a familiar face over the coming days to channel surfers who get their TV programming from the Time Warner Cable Co. Dunlap is appearing on the public affairs program “Main Street,” which reaches hundreds of thousands of households statewide.

Under current law, applicants must provide documentary evidence to prove they are either U.S. citizens or foreign visitors who have government permission to be in this country.

Dunlap says that for most Mainers, a copy of their birth certificate will be sufficient to prove citizenship if they were born in the U.S. People also need to prove they are a Maine resident, so they also need to bring documentation indicating their current physical address.

“Main Street” appears on cable channels 9 in Augusta, Waterville, Lewiston and Presque Isle; channel 12 in Bangor, Brewer and Down East locations; and channel 22 in the Portland area.