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The REAL ID Act of 2005 established requirements for identification that is acceptable for entrance to federal government facilities, nuclear power plants, and for boarding flights in the United States. The deadline for its enforcement was pushed back many times due to the pandemic and a host of other reasons. The current date is May 7th and this time it looks like it might stick. I have yet to get my driver’s license updated to a REAL ID (one that has an official looking star in the corner) and need to do so. Apparently, I’m not alone as 29% of Americans do not have a REAL ID according to a recent study conducted by High Risk Pay.
The study surveyed more than 2,300 US residents to find out who had a REAL ID, who doesn’t, and why some have not yet gotten their updated cards. It’s interesting to see the regional differences noted in the survey. These states have the highest percentage of residents without a REAL ID:
- New Jersey – 61.2%
- Pennsylvania – 60.4%
- Montana – 57.8%
- Illinois – 52.9%
- Tennessee – 51.0%
As an Illinois resident, I guess I’m falling in line with my neighbors.
Generationally, I am also matching my peers (I’m in Gen X). The least prepared generations are:
- Gen X – 33.4%
- Baby Boomer – 33%
- Millennial – 27.8%
- Gen Z – 20.9%
I had every intention of getting a REAL ID when I renewed my driver’s license in June 2024, but after waiting in line I was told that I did not have enough documents with me and would need to come back. My schedule did not permit that, so I got a standard license. Now, I need to find time or start carrying my passport on domestic flights.
Anthony’s Take: REAL ID has been coming for a long time. I will find time to get mine before May 7th. Have you gotten yours yet?
(Image Credits: Department of Homeland Security and High Risk Pay.)
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Advertiser & Editorial Disclosure: The Bulkhead Seat earns an affiliate commission for anyone approved through the links above This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. We work to provide the best publicly available offers to our readers. We frequently update them, but this site does not include all available offers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities.
4 comments
The Global Entry card should suffice as well – which is what I plan on using until I need to renew my drivers license.
I hadn’t thought about that. Thank you!
I’m one who did REAL ID back when it first rolled out in FL so I might not have known (also Gen X!), had you not mentioned the star. Oh yeah, I’ve had that forever… or around 15 years 🙂 That might account for some of those who aren’t sure-we’ve just forgotten, since the DMV tends to always request everything but the kitchen sink when you go in, it seems (eye roll…).
I recently moved and got a real ID with the switchover in my new state, but my previous one was non real ID so I carried my Global Entry card around just in case as there was so much uncertainty on the date of enforcement.