REAL ID Deadline Looms: Top 5 Things You Need to Know Before May 7

(NEXSTAR) — Following multiple postponements, the REAL IDs
enforcement deadline
It will begin on Wednesday; from then onward, you’ll require
compliant identification card
To get on a domestic flight and access specific federal facilities.

Implementation of the ID mandate, which dates back to
laws enacted after the September 11th terrorist strikes
It officially starts on Wednesday, May 7.

Here are five points you should be aware of ahead of the REAL ID implementation date.

Is my ID a REAL ID?

Before you plan a visit to your DMV, take a look at your wallet; you might already possess one.
ID-compliant driver’s license or state ID card that meets REAL standards
. Many states have been issuing compliant cards for years.

If there is
a star emblem on your driving permit or state identification card
, you have a REAL ID-compliant card. The star may be black or gold, completely filled in or just the outline. Either way, you’re compliant.

Some states —
Minnesota
,
Michigan
,
New York
, and
Vermont
— Issues REAL ID-compliant IDs and provides enhanced driver’s licenses (only available in Washington). These state-enhanced driver’s licenses feature a flag instead of a star and come equipped with a chip that facilitates entry into the U.S. via land or sea routes from Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean, as stated.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
. REAL IDs
cannot
can be utilized for border crossings.

Am I able to obtain a genuine REAL ID?

In brief, YES—REAL IDs will continue to be processed beyond the May 7 deadline. Still, if you plan on taking domestic flights shortly without having a REAL ID yet, ensure you carry additional identification documents for boarding purposes (details below).

If you’re in a rush to get one, however, you may be out of luck. Several states have reported a lack of appointments to get a REAL ID in recent weeks, including offices in New Jersey, Illinois, and Kentucky, the Associated Press reported.

What steps should I follow to obtain a genuine REAL ID?

If you manage to secure an appointment for obtaining a REAL ID (assuming it’s required in your state), ensure you take all the necessary steps.
have the necessary documentation
.

At the very least, you’ll be required to verify your complete legal name, your date of birth, your Social Security number, two documents proving your address at your primary home, and your immigration status.

Will you be able to board a plane without a REAL ID following the May deadline?

The four required documents—your birth certificate along with your Social Security card (or sometimes merely the SSN itself)—plus either a utility bill or a payslip can fulfill these criteria. Nonetheless, depending on the situation, alternative documentation might be necessary or requested.
depending on your situation
.

In the end, you should consult your nearby DMV to find out the required documentation and approximately how long it will take for your REAL ID to be issued.

What happens if you don’t possess a REAL ID?

You might still be allowed to board an airplane or engage in activities that typically necessitate a valid driver’s license.

If you lack a REAL ID and have a domestic flight scheduled for takeoff after the May 7 deadline, there’s no need to worry: You can still use an alternative accepted form of identification to get on your flight.

TSA
lists severa
as seen on its website, including:

U.S. passport or passport card
Foreign government-issued passport
Veteran Health Identification Card
DHS trusted traveler cards
Defense Department ID (which includes those given to family members)
Permanent resident card
Border crossing card
Accepted forms of identification include official photo IDs provided by a federally recognized Tribal Nation or Indian Tribe, such as Enhanced Tribal Cards.
HSPD-12 PIV cards
Canadian province driver’s license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card
Transportation worker identification credential
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Work Permit Card (Form I-766)
U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential

For further information regarding TSA’s screening procedures, you can look into their detailed documentation.
here
.
The TSA notes
that even if you arrive at the airport without a valid form of identification, you may still be able to fly by completing an identity verification process with a TSA officer.

Is a REAL ID necessary for me?

It varies. REAL IDs are
optional
And the requirement for one will differ depending on your circumstances.

You don’t need a REAL ID for activities such as driving, voting, obtaining state or federal benefits and services, purchasing alcohol, entering non-ID-required federal facilities like post offices, going to hospitals, or participating in legal processes including law enforcement proceedings or investigations such as serving on a jury.

Can the TSA prevent you from boarding due to marijuana in your baggage?

Typically, when traveling within your country, or if you plan to visit locations such as nuclear power facilities, military installations, or any site that has specific identification rules set by the government, you might require a REAL ID.

Kids who are younger than 18 years old don’t have to show ID when they fly inside the U.S.

The Associated Press provided contributions to this report.

To stay updated with the most recent news, weather forecasts, sports updates, and live streams, visit WHBF – OurQuadCities.com.