Real ID is here, are you ready?
Have you heard the term Real ID? If you have you should know that it's here and it is a very real thing. If you are not compliant by the deadline, you will have a difficult time traveling.
What is it? The real ID act was passed by congress and requires that federally accepted IDs meet certain standards. Federal agencies will not be allowed to accept identification that does not meet these new standards. Starting October 1, 2020, every state and territory resident will need to present a REAL ID compliant license/ID, or another acceptable form of identification, before accessing Federal facilities, entering nuclear power plants, and most importantly for us boarding commercial aircrafts,.
Real IDs will require states to collect more information as proof of identity and residency. The real Ids will be built using new and advanced technology that will make them more difficult to forge. In most states you will need to present a document proving your identity and date of birth, a document proving your social security number, as well as 2 documents proofing your physical address. Once compliant, you will receive a new driver’s license. For most states your license will have a gold star in the right corner.
If you renew your license and you chose not to get a real id, your identification will say Not for federal identification, or Federal limits apply in the right hand corner instead of a star. Starting October 1, 2020, you will not be allowed to access any federal facilities with your old driver’s license. You will have to show another approved federal identification such as a passport. And remember airports are considered federal facilities.
Bottom line. If you do not have a Real ID or a Passport come October 1, 2020, you will not be able to take a flight. And that’s internationally or Domestically. So, please don’t delay. Head to your nearest DMV as soon as you can so you can continue to fly free.
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