Real ID Update

On October 1, 2020, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will implement the final phase of REAL ID enforcement, requiring Americans to present a REAL ID compliant driver’s license or another acceptable form of authenticated ID to go through airport security checkpoints.

Because each state and territory have different guidelines, this document was compiled by the GBTA Government Relations Committee to assist GBTA members in understanding each state’s requirements for obtaining a REAL ID driver’s license.

DHS has provided a list of documents that will be accepted AFTER OCTOBER 1, 2020 in lieu of a REAL ID driver’s license. https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/identification

REAL ID refers to a set of security standards established by Congress in 2005 for card issuance, card design and application processing that individual states must follow when issuing driver’s licenses and other forms of identification; most REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses feature a star in the upper-right corner.

However, an estimated 99 million Americans (39%) do not have any form of identification (e.g. REAL ID-compliant driver’s license, U.S. passport, U.S. military ID or an enhanced driver’s license) that will be accepted after October 1, 2020. Furthermore, most Americans (57%) are unaware of the October 1, 2020 deadline for enforcement. Air travel risks being seriously disrupted if millions of passengers are turned away on October 1, 2020 for not having the necessary documents to fly.

Contact GBTA Government Relations at +1 703 684 0836 or info@gbta.org with any questions.