DHS Extends REAL ID Enforcement Deadline to October 2021
The Department of Homeland Security has delayed the Real ID enforcement deadline for another 12 months because of the coronavirus pandemic. All 50 states have an extension, which means passengers can continue to use their current driver’s licenses as usual for domestic travel.
The REAL ID enforcement deadline was originally set on October 1, 2020. But with the 12 month extension, the new deadline for REAL ID enforcement is October 1, 2021.
Beginning October 1, 2021, every air traveler 18 years of age and older will need a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license, state-issued enhanced driver’s license, or another acceptable form of ID to fly within the United States, the DHS says in its announcement. REAL ID-compliant cards are marked with a star at the top of the card.
The rollout of Real IDs is the final phase of an act passed by Congress in 2005, in the wake of 9/11 which raised security standards for state-issued driver’s licenses.
Acceptable Identification
Adult passengers 18 and over must show valid identification at the airport checkpoint in order to travel. These are the options listed om the DHS website:
- Driver’s licenses or other state photo identity cards issued by Department of Motor Vehicles (or equivalent)
- U.S. passport
- U.S. passport card
- DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
- U.S. Department of Defense ID, including IDs issued to dependents
- Permanent resident card
- Border crossing card
- State-issued Enhanced Driver’s License
- Federally recognized, tribal-issued photo ID
- HSPD-12 PIV card
- Foreign government-issued passport
- Canadian provincial driver’s license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card
- Transportation worker identification credential
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766)
- U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential
The following are not acceptable:
- Weapon permit
- Temporary driver’s license is not an acceptable form of identification
TSA and most airlines do not require children under 18 to provide identification when traveling within the United States with an adult companion who has acceptable identification. Contact the airline for questions regarding specific ID requirements for travelers under 18.
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This was announced some time ago so must be a slow news day and you need some filler material! Also a little deceitful to put today’s date on the story like it is breaking news!
This lack of travel is really bringing out the worst in travel blogs and hopefully about half of them go away!
Where does it say breaking. It is something we haven’t covered and decided to cover it in case people missed it. Another weak effort on your part AC.