REAL ID Deadline Looms: Top 5 Things You Need to Know This Week

(NEXSTAR) — Following multiple postponements, the REAL IDs will now be
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 to keep in mind ahead of the REAL ID implementation date.

Traveling sans REAL ID? Here’s what you should anticipate.

Is my ID a REAL ID?

Before planning a visit to your DMV, take a look at your wallet; you might already possess one.
A Real IDs compliant driver’s license or state ID card
numerous states have been producing compliant cards for several years now.

If there is
a star on your license or identification card
, you possess a REAL ID-compliant card. This card might feature a star that can either be black or gold, fully solid or merely outlined. Regardless of these specifics, your card meets the requirements.

Some states —
Minnesota
,
Michigan
,
New York
, and
Vermont
—Issue REAL ID-compliant identification cards and enhanced driver’s licenses (only available as an option in Washington). These state-issued enhanced driver’s licenses feature a flag emblem instead of a star and come equipped with a chip for simplified entry into the U.S. via land or sea routes from Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean regions, states the information provided.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
. REAL IDs
cannot
be used for crossing the borders.

Can I still get a REAL ID?

The short answer is yes, REAL IDs will still be issued even after the May 7 enforcement date. If you are flying domestically soon and do not have a REAL ID, however, you’ll need to bring along more than your driver’s license to board the flight (more on that in a moment).

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.

With the REAL ID deadline approaching, here’s what occurs if you lack one.

How do I get a REAL ID?

Should you be lucky enough to schedule an appointment for a REAL ID (if that’s necessary in your state), you’ll want to make sure you
have the necessary documentation
.

At least, you’ll have to verify your complete legal name, your date of birth, your Social Security number, at least two documents proving your address for your main home, and your immigration status.

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

The four papers needed—your birth certificate along with either your Social Security card or simply the number, alternatively supported by a utility bill and a paycheck stub—are typically sufficient for meeting these criteria. Nonetheless, depending on the situation, you might require alternative or extra documentation as well.
depending on your situation
.

In the end, you should consult your nearby DMV office to find out which supporting documents are required and approximately how long it might take for your REAL ID to be ready.

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 onboard your flight.

TSA
lists severa
as stated on their website, including:

United States passport or passport card
Foreign government-issued passport
Veteran Health Identification Card
DHS trusted traveler cards
Defense Department ID (including those given to family members)
Permanent resident card
Border crossing card
Valid identification document issued by a federally recognized Tribal Nation/Indian Tribe, such as an Enhanced Tribal Card, is acceptable.
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 resources.
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.

The REAL ID deadline is approaching quickly as departments of motor vehicles face a shortage of appointment slots.

Is a REAL ID required 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, accessing state or federal benefits and services, purchasing alcohol, entering non-ID-required federal facilities (such as post offices), going to hospitals, or participating in law enforcement processes like 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 places such as nuclear power facilities, military installations, or other locations where specific identification rules apply, you might require a REAL ID.

Kids younger than 18 years old don’t have to show ID when traveling inside the U.S.

The Associated Press provided contributions to this report.

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