REAL ID May Present Real Problems for Some Travelers

As though going through long checkpoints at the airport isn’t complicated enough, the final steps of implementing the REAL ID Act of 2005 are beginning. In early December, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced new signs going up at airport security checkpoints letting travelers know about the new rules, which become effective January 22, 2018. Many won’t really see a difference, but REAL ID may present real problems for some travelers.

As though going through long checkpoints at the airport isn’t complicated enough, the final steps of implementing the REAL ID Act of 2005 are beginning. In early December, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced new signs going up at airport security checkpoints letting travelers know about the new rules, which become effective January 22, 2018. Many won’t really see a difference, but REAL ID may present real problems for some travelers.

The purpose of the REAL ID Act of 2005 is to protect the security of U.S. citizens by stopping the “fraudulent issuance and use of driver’s licenses and identification cards,” according to a statement by Secretary Jeh C. Johnson of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Only those states that issue driver’s licenses or identification cards that have anti-counterfeit technology as part of the actual card, verify the applicant’s identity and run background checks on all employees responsible for issuing IDs will be compliant with REAL ID.

The above are the minimum security standards as set forth by the REAL ID Act. In addition to these standards, federal agencies such as the TSA will be unable to accept non-compliant IDs for official purposes. One of these purposes is boarding a federally-regulated commercial airplane.

Currently, there are nine states that are non-compliant:

• Kentucky
• Maine
• Minnesota
• Missouri
• Oklahoma
• Pennsylvania
• South Carolina, and
• Washington

Residents of those states will be required to use other forms of ID, such as passports, military IDs or permanent resident cards) in order to travel, even domestically, until their states become compliant. The non-compliant states may be granted extensions by the government in order to become compliant. However, every traveler must have REAL ID compliant identification by October 1, 2020 or else they will not pass through the TSA checkpoints.

Currently, 24 states plus Washington, D.C. are compliant with REAL ID. The other states have been granted extensions, ending in October 2017, to become compliant. Some states have not been granted extensions.

Sec. Johnson said, “Over the next two years, those states that are not REAL ID compliant are strongly encouraged to meet the requirements of the law for the benefit of their residents.” He went on to say that Congress had ordered the TSA to make this identification change over a decade ago to address aviation safety concerns.

He had the following to say to those planning to travel: “Right now, no individual needs to adjust travel plans, or rush out to get a new driver’s license or a passport for domestic air travel. Until January 22, 2018, residents of all states will still be able to use a state-issued driver’s license or identification card for domestic air travel. Passengers can also continue to use any of the various other forms of identification accepted by TSA (such as a Passport or Passport Card, Global Entry card, U.S. military ID, airline or airport-issued ID, federally recognized tribal-issued photo ID). Travelers are encouraged to check the REAL ID compliance status of their state on the DHS website and review TSA’s list of acceptable forms of identification. Travelers may also check with their state’s driver’s licensing agency about how to acquire a REAL ID compliant license.”

Sec. Johnson said of the time table set for implementation, “We know that some states must change their laws to comply with the REAL ID Act. That is why we have determined to set the timetable above, and have provided extensions to several states. I urge state government leaders to take immediate action to comply with the REAL ID Act, to ensure the continued ability of their residents to fly unimpeded. It is time to move toward final compliance with this law.”

How have aviation and travel groups responded to this news? Quite favorably, actually. The Airports Council International-North America’s (ACI-NA) President Kevin Burke issued the following statement.

“ACI-NA and its member U.S. airports applaud the decision by DHS to provide a reasonable timeframe prior to requiring passengers to present identification from a REAL ID compliant state in order to travel on commercial aircraft. Through its decision to provide a two-year implementation timeframe, DHS clearly recognized the importance of minimizing the potential impact on the traveling public. ACI-NA and its member airports look forward to ongoing coordination with DHS and the Transportation Security Administration to advance initiatives to educate travelers and help to ensure a reasonable implementation of REAL ID requirements.”

Executive Vice President of Public Affairs for the U.S. Travel Association Jonathan Grella, said “Having a hard deadline for Real ID compliance is almost a relief for travelers—the growing misinformation was not helping anyone. Rendering many Americans’ drivers’ licenses insufficient for travel would obviously have a chilling effect on our economy and way of life, but we’re hopeful and confident that states and the federal government will solve these issues well before sending us over that precipice. Striking the correct balance between security and convenience is not and should not be a zero-sum policymaking game.”

If you are from one of the nine non-compliant states, you can either choose to wait to see if your state becomes compliant before the deadline, as Sec. Johnson said. Or, you can apply for a passport.

Sources:

TSA to stop accepting some states’ drivers licenses in 2018

Driver Licenses From Nine States Won’t Be Valid IDs for Domestic Flights in 2018