NEW YORK (AP) — The deadline to get a REAL ID is fast approaching after years of
postponements and delays.
Beginning May 7, you must have a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or identification card to travel within the U.S.
Unfortunately,
It doesn’t appear as though there will be any further delays in meeting the deadline.
If you’re unsure about obtaining a REAL ID, the reasons for needing one, and the consequences of not having it by May 7, consider these key points:
What does REAL ID stand for?
This is a federally compliant, state-issued license or identification card that the Department of Homeland Security claims offers enhanced security features. In addition to requiring a REAL ID for domestic flights, you’ll also need this document to enter specific federal buildings and facilities.
Why is this happening?
When the REAL ID Act became law in 2005, it implemented a suggestion from the 9/11 Commission requiring the government to establish security standards for driver’s licenses and identification cards issued by states.
REAL ID represents a collaborative initiative by the federal government aimed at enhancing the credibility and precision of driver’s licenses and identity cards,” stated John Essig, who serves as the Transportation Security Administration’s Security Director for airports across the NYC area, in an April 3rd press release. “These enhancements are designed to prevent terrorists from eluding detection through the use of fake IDs.
The REAL ID Act was supposed to begin rolling out in 2008, “but has faced repeated delays due to state implementation challenges and the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Nina Ruggiero, senior editorial director for Travel + Leisure. “The combination of varying state processes and shifting deadlines has added to the overall confusion around REAL IDs and likely led some travelers to take the deadlines less seriously.”
How do I know if I already have a REAL ID?
If you’ve gotten a new ID in the last few years, it could already be REAL ID-compliant.
“I also hear from travelers who are confused as to whether or not they already have a REAL ID,” Ruggiero said. “Some people who have recently renewed their license may already have a compliant ID and not know it,” so you may want to double-check yours before starting the process.
A REAL ID-compliant driver’s license has a symbol (
in most states, a star
) in the top corner of the card.
If you reside in states like Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont, or Washington, you might possess an “enhanced” ID card. This type of identification allows you to enter Mexico and Canada via land or sea borders when departing from the U.S. However, it doesn’t permit air travel to these nations.
The enhanced IDs will feature an image of the American flag along with the term “enhanced” at the upper part of the card.
What should I do if I don’t possess a REAL ID, and how can I obtain one?
The criteria differ from one state to another, hence you should go to the webpage of your state’s motor vehicle department to learn about the particular procedures. This includes checking if you must schedule an appointment with a local DMV office and understanding which documents you’ll require upon arrival.
What occurs on May 7? And what should you do if you don’t possess a REAL ID by that date?
If you do not possess a REAL ID by the specified date and intend to travel domestically via airplane, you must present your passport or an alternative form of identification.
TSA-approved form of identification
when you travel.
Otherwise, you might encounter “holdups, extra checks, and even the potential of being denied entry to the security checkpoint,” cautions TSA spokesperson Lisa Farbstein.
The deadline has already been pushed back so many times. Could it be delayed again?
In late April, several state senators from Kentucky requested the agency to postpone enforcing the updated regulations once more. They argued that the state only has a few appointment slots for individuals needing these new IDs and mentioned that many are trying to comply with the approaching May 7 deadline.
Nevertheless, TSA representative Dan Velez informed the AP that the administration has no plans to postpone the REAL ID implementation timeline once more.
By late April, 81% of individuals passing through TSA checkpoints had presented valid forms of identification such as a state-issued REAL ID, as reported by the Department of Homeland Security.
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