We’re hearing more about Real ID and it’s causing traffic at the DMV centers to increase massively. Before you go through 1+ hour lines, here is some information about Real ID and what you know to be ahead of the information curve!
If you use your driver’s license to fly, you’ll need to renew it to get a Real ID or beginning Oct. 1, 2020 you might not be able to pass airport security.
The state of Tennessee began issuing Real IDs on July 1 and if you plan on entering federal buildings, nuclear sites or taking a vacation on a commercial airliner, you’ll need to head over to the DMV to renew your license.
Here are five things to know about the new ID system.
Real ID began as a response to 9/11
Four years after the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, Congress passed the Real ID Act based on recommendations from the 9/11 commission to set minimum nationwide security standards for driver’s licenses, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Real ID’s are designated by a gold star on the license, but they also include heightened security features like holograms that make them difficult to copy.
Real ID lets you continue to use your license to fly and access federal sites
You can still drive and use your current license in the state. But only the new state-issued Real ID licenses that meet the stricter national standards will be accepted as ID for entering federal government offices, nuclear power plants or federally-regulated commercial airline flights.
The law doesn’t require Real ID at federal sites where none is needed now, like a visit to Smithsonian museums. Other forms of high-security ID like U.S. passports are still valid.
It doesn’t cost more than a regular license renewal
The Real ID will cost the same as a standard renewal of an expiring license. That’s $28.
If you want to get a Real ID before your current license is due to expire, it’ll cost the standard charge for a replacement license: $8 for the first, $12 for the second or third replacement.
You have until fall of 2020 to get the new license
There’s no need to rush over to the DMV to get your new license unless you plan on using it to fly out of state before the deadline and fly back afterward.
You will need two forms of ID’s when getting Real ID:
- Birth certificate.
- Social Security card.
- State-issued driver’s license/ID card.
- Passport and passport card.
- Department of Defense Identification Card.
- Other identity documents.
- References.
The deadline for getting your Real ID is Oct. 1, 2020.
Other IDS instead of Real ID can be used to fly, to access federal government sites
- Valid U.S. passport or 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;
- DHS-designated 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
So, bottom line: you don’t have to rush out and do anything TODAY to update your license. It is suggested that you don’t even go through the DMV doors until September or October when school is back in session because the waiting in line is longer than average currently.
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