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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 has been pushed back many times due to the pandemic and a host of other reasons, but it went into effect today. I reported on my experience getting a driver’s license that’s a REAL ID a few weeks back (one that has an official looking star in the corner) and anecdotally today at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) it was business as usual.
US Department of Homeland Security Secretary, Kristi Noem, has said that those without a REAL ID can still fly for now. Noem told lawmakers yesterday:
What will happen tomorrow is folks will come through the line, and [they] will issue their ID and show it. If it’s not compliant, they may be diverted to a different line, have an extra step, but people will be allowed to fly.”
A senior Homeland Security official added in a statement:
TSA will enforce REAL ID and ensure there is no impact to wait times or TSA screening applications, especially for those passengers who are prepared with their REAL ID, passport or other acceptable form of ID. [Those without a REAL ID] will be notified of their non-compliance, may be directed to a separate area and may receive additional screening.”
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) website has been updated to say the same thing. While 81% of US citizens now have a REAL ID, those 19% should not be allowed to fly without one (or a valid passport or Global Entry card). This has been ongoing for years and if you haven’t done so by now, you’re likely not going to get a REAL ID.
Anthony’s Take: Get a REAL ID or carry another form of identification that is acceptable. You’ll save everyone (including the TSA, other passengers, and yourself) the hassle and delays that this could cause.
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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.
