Worried about the upcoming changes for domestic travel due to the Real ID Act? We know the list of questions you may have is sure to send your head spinning. In the past year, with the upsurge of news regarding changes in ID requirements for travel, we thought we could clear up some of the confusion you might have. Here’s the five W’s about the act and the TSA rules surrounding it.<\/p>\n
What’s the Real ID Act again?<\/em> In 2005, following the recommendation of the 9\/11 Commission, Congress passed the Real ID Act. The Act establishes minimum security standards for license issuance and production; the end goal being ensured optimum safety before boarding federally regulated commercial aircrafts. You\u2019re probably wondering why it\u2019s taken so long to fully implement? Because of privacy concerns, inconvenience, and cost, several states\/territories were slow to comply. So, on December 20, 2013 the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) implemented a multi-phased enforcement plan for the Real ID Act\u2026 the looming deadline for which is January 2018!<\/p>\n Everywhere. All 50 states, Puerto Rico, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Virgin Islands, and American Samoa, to be exact. The good news is\u2026 there no non-compliant states on the list (PHEW!). However, not all states are fully compliant just yet, either. Many states have been granted an extension to get on board with compliance. So far, only 25 states are fully compliant, with 17 states granted extensions and 12 states\/U.S. Territories under review. Check out this map<\/a> to see what status your state is. If you\u2019re currently living in a state or territory that does not implement the changes and become compliant by January 22, 2018, you may run into some issues. We recommend keeping an eye out for updates (especially if you\u2019re an avid domestic traveler and don\u2019t have TSA pre-check<\/a>).<\/p>\n January 22, 2018<\/strong> October 1, 2020<\/strong> Don\u2019t hit the panic button just yet! Although this is the deadline for the final phase of the Real ID Act implementation, you won\u2019t be completely shunned from air travel if your state is deemed non-compliant. Unless your state is still in extension mode, if you\u2019re traveling domestically by air and with a driver\u2019s license or state ID card that doesn’t comply all you have to do is make sure you have another form of acceptable identification with you to present to the TSA (yet another reason to renew that passport<\/a>!).<\/p>\n If you’re wondering who this applies to… the answer is\u00a0everybody.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n If you’ve only recently renewed your license and reside in a state that is Real ID compliant<\/strong>, there might be a chance that you already have a compliant ID and you’re good to go (to travel domestically, that is)! The best way to figure out whether or not you’re in the clear is to go to your state’s website to see what a look at what a Real ID compliant license looks like, and compare it to the one you own currently. If you realize that you don’t have a compliant ID, no need to fret – you’ve got plenty of time! As mentioned, if your state is compliant<\/strong> you’re in the clear until October 1, 2020, and you may continue to use the driver’s license\/ state-issued identification that you are currently using. If you’re someone who likes being ahead of the game,\u00a0you can easily obtain your new ID by\u00a0heading to your local DMV with proper documentation (the same documents you used to obtain your license) to receive a renewed license, and in some states, you can even do this online!<\/p>\nWhere?<\/h2>\n
When?<\/h2>\n
Here are some essential dates to remember:<\/h4>\n
\nDriver\u2019s licenses or state IDs issued by states that are not in compliance with the REAL ID Act and have
\nnot been granted an extension by DHS may not be used to fly within the U.S.<\/p>\n
\nEvery traveler will need a REAL ID-compliant license or state ID or another acceptable form of identification to fly within the U.S.\u00a0So if your state is already compliant, what are you waiting for? Go ahead and get that Real-ID compliant license or state identification card. Why stress yourself out and wait until October 2020?\u00a0 Your state is ready to go, and you will be too!<\/p>\nWhat Happens After January 22, 2018?<\/h4>\n
Who?<\/h2>\n