Real ID Update – Get the Facts
We have seen a number of misleading news articles and stores regarding the federal Real ID Act, which has put forward standards regarding state-issued drivers licenses to ensure they are accepted by federal agencies, such being accepted by the TSA/DHS for domestic flights. The news reported in these can cause a significant amount of alarm with the traveling public, especially the casual traveler. The general impression being spread is that some state’s drivers licenses (including California) will “soon” be rejected as an appropraite form of ID, requiring people wanting to take even domestic flights to have a passport.
This information and characterization is not true.
As if today, only Minnesota and America Samoa are out of compliance with Real ID and most at risk of this impacting them. However the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has promised a minimum of 120-days notice before changing their current enforcement policy. There as been no such notice given.
Other states, such as California are currently operating under specific extension (through October 2016) while they work to become compliant with Real ID. As a result, states, such as ours have even more time than 120, and significantly less risk to having our travel impacted.
As a result, there is no immanent threat to travelers today. There is no need for them to go out and get a passport to ensure they can travel.
As travel professionals, we DO encourage people to have passports, as it opens them up to the wonderful realm of international travel. But not because of any concern over domestic travel restrictions.
We encourage the local media and the traveling public to look into the FACTS for themselves:
- REAL ID and You: Rumor Control
- REAL ID Enforcement in Brief
- Current Status of States
- How to apply for a passport in Redding