The Real ID

Before the pandemic happened in March of last year you heard a lot about the REAL ID that was supposed to become in affect on October 1st 2020. If your not as familiar with the Real ID it was was initially designed to keep U.S. citizens from holding multiple licenses, social security numbers and to allow government officials to check immigration standing. Federal agencies, such as the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will be unable to accept any ID that does not meet the federal standard. That’s why it’s important because it will eventually impact your domestic travel. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security was on track to implement the last phase of REAL ID enforcement that will require Americans to present REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses or another acceptable form of ID to go through airport security. Thanks to the coronavirus pandemic, the Department of Homeland Security has extended the deadline for Americans to acquire a Real ID, which will be a new type of identification card required to fly domestically. The new date was October 1, 2021 but that date has changed to May 3, 2023.Starting on May 3, 2023, people who want to fly from state to state will be required to show the new “Real ID” driver’s license, aka Compliant Card, or another federally-approved form of identification such as a passport. The new Real ID driver’s license can be obtained when you renew your driver’s license.You must show extra documents proving their identity, date of birth, legal presence in the country, Social Security number and one’s street address. Everyone is not in agreement about the use of these REAL ID’s. The U.S. Travel Association, which is a national, non-profit organization representing and advocating for all components of the travel industry will continue working with its industry partners and the administration to educate the public, and will advocate for policy changes that allow for other forms of identification to be used in place of a REAL ID at airport security checkpoints, including biometric screening and Trusted Traveler Programs.
Gary if you would poll your listeners I would venture to say most of them will not have the Real ID yet because over 80 million people still don’t have them. Next time you go to renew your license make sure you get your REAL ID so you won’t have any problems come May 3, 2023 when you want to jump on a plane to take a domestic flight. If you want to learn more about travel and how to save money when you travel go to www.bolcctravel.com and sign up for our newsletter to learn tips and strategies about the travel industry.