REAL ID Update — March 23, 2020

The Trump Administration announced that it is postponing the October 1st Federal REAL ID deadline due to the COVID-19 crisis. Governors and lawmakers have expressed concern that people will crowd state departments of motor vehicles to meet the looming deadline. The October 1st deadline meant that U.S. air travelers would have been required to present a Real ID-compliant license or another form of compliant ID (such as a U.S. passport) when boarding a domestic-bound flight. 

No new deadline has been announced at this time. 

POSTPONED: Federal Law Requires REAL ID for Air Travel by October 1, 2020

If your locum tenens assignments require air travel, you should check your IDs to ensure they are compliant with federal law in order to board an aircraft after October 1, 2020.

Please review these important details:

What Does REAL ID Mean?

  • Starting October 1, 2020, every traveler above the age of 18 will have to present a REAL ID-compliant license/ID or another acceptable form of identification (like a passport or passport card) for accessing federal facilities — including boarding commercial aircraft. This means that in order to board a flight, every traveler over the age of 18 will have to present either a REAL ID-compliant license, or a U.S. passport, or a passport card, or a military ID or a Global Entry card, all of which qualify as Real ID-compliant identification. 
  • Most states have already started issuing Real ID. Florida has been issuing REAL ID- compliant credentials since January 1, 2010.

What Does A REAL ID Look Like?

  • In most states, there is a gold or black star on the front of the license that will signify compliance. If you see this, then you’re good to go.
  • However, there are a few states that have issued compliant IDs without a star (Hawaii, Ohio and Utah). So, it’s best to confirm with your state driver’s license agency if you do not see a star.

How Do You Get A REAL ID?

  • Because the requirements vary by state, check with your state driver’s license agency for the exact requirements prior to going to the DMV.

Click here to learn more about REAL ID from the Department of Homeland Security.