Since the passage of the REAL ID Act in 2005, the deadline for states to comply has been extended a few times. Now, with every state and U.S. territory compliant, it appears the restrictions will go into effect Oct. 1, 2020. What this means for travellers is that starting from that date, they will need to show REAL ID-compliant identifications in order to board domestic flights.
What is the REAL ID?
The REAL ID Act established federal standards for identification, which have always been set by the state. According to the DHS, the REAL ID “prohibits Federal agencies from accepting for official purposes licenses and identification cards from states that do not meet these standards.” These purposes are:
- Accessing Federal facilities
- Boarding federally regulated commercial aircraft
- Entering nuclear power plants
And it is that second bullet point Americans need to know about. All commercial aircraft is federally regulated, as is accessing the terminal past the TSA-checkpoint.
How do I Get A REAL ID?
If you need a REAL ID, check with your state’s DMV about issuance.
At a minimum, you must provide documentation proving: your full legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, two proofs of legal residence, and lawful status. Check with your state’s DMV for additional required information.
What About Alternate IDs?
The U.S. Travel Association estimates that 99 million Americans don’t currently have a form of identification that would qualify. If you’re not sure whether your driver’s license qualifies, look for a star in the upper right corner. If it’s not there, you won’t be able to get on a plane with that ID from Oct. 1 on. Acceptable forms of ID include: a U.S. passport or passport card, a U.S. military ID, a Trusted Traveler card (for those with Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI or FAST clearance). Residents of Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont, and Washington State may use an Enhanced Drivers License (EDL).
For other acceptable forms, visit www.tsa.gov.
Travel Advisors Lobby
Largay Travel president Amanda Klimak was on Capitol Hill last week with a contingent from the American Society of Travel Advisors. As the lead advocacy group for travel advisors, providers and their clients, ASTA lobbied members of Congress in support of the Trusted Traveler Real ID Relief Act. This would allow travellers to use additional forms of identification, such as Known Traveler Numbers, to board domestic flights.
“The safety of the traveling public is always a priority,” Klimak said. “However, the REAL ID bill was designed over 15 years ago[. And it] needs to be updated to reflect the current needs of the traveling public. If the bill remains as currently written, after Oct. 1, 2020, if you are traveling and your ID is lost or stolen, there is no provision that would allow you to return home, which currently exists in an alternate screening procedure.”
Also last week, DHS announced that residents of New York state are no longer eligible to enrol in Trusted Traveler programs. This means that every resident of New York will require a compliant drivers license or a passport in order to board a domestic flight.
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The last thing you want is show up at the airport and be surprised to learn you don’t have what you need. You can always buy a toothbrush, but if you don’t have the proper identification, you’re in real trouble. Be prepared with the right ID before REAL ID goes into effect.