You will need a REAL ID or a valid passport to get through TSA if you are 18 years of age or older and intend to travel domestically in the United States after May 7, 2025.
This requirement is part of a post-9/11 law intended to strengthen ID security, and it is enforced by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and implemented by state DMV offices.
And those DMV lineups with the deadline approaching? They will soon spread out like traffic on a Monday morning.
States are rushing to catch up, and many Americans still lack REAL IDs even though the law has been in effect since 2005.
For instance, backlogs and congested offices are being reported in Illinois and Pennsylvania.
You must make an appointment at your local DMV and present documentation verifying your entire legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, and two proofs of residency in order to obtain one.
Why Do You Need an ID and What Is the REAL ID?
Anyone who is 18 years of age or older who wants to pass through TSA checkpoints without any problems should have a REAL ID (or a valid passport) as of May 7.
Don’t rely on your library card to get you through airport security, even though there are still some other forms of identification that can be used.
The 9/11 Commission’s recommendation, which compelled Congress to enact the REAL ID Act in 2005, is the origin of the entire REAL ID controversy.
The concept? Establish a national standard for ID cards so that authorities can verify that you are who you say you are and not simply someone with a nice haircut and a phoney licence.
Don’t worry if you haven’t received yours yet, but don’t wait too long.
Simply schedule an appointment at the DMV location that is closest to you, bring the appropriate paperwork, and be ready to enjoy the satisfaction of standing in a line that moves more slowly than traffic during rush hour.
DMV Chaos is Being Caused by REAL ID Application Backlogs
Some states are raising the alarm because, despite the fact that the requirement has been in place since 2005 and that the deadline has been postponed more times than a budget airline, individuals are simply not hurrying to get their REAL IDs.
For instance, Transportation Director Mike Carroll claims that only roughly 2.5 million drivers in Pennsylvania, or 26% of the state’s total population, have received theirs.
During a recent news conference, Carroll was blunt in his warning that as the deadline draws nearer, DMV offices are preparing for DMV-level mayhem.
Illinois officials are increasing the number of DMV appointments by 2,500 each day in anticipation of the last-minute surge. A Real ID “supercenter” has even been established where anyone can walk in without an appointment and begin the process—cape not included.
Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias said that “our offices and website have been swamped,” most likely while attempting to respond to 17 emails at once.
Documents Required to Obtain a Genuine ID
You will need to present your entire legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, and a few additional documents proving your identity in order to obtain one of these golden-starred IDs. Just plain old documents, no holograms or decoder rings needed.
Although federal transportation officials have given the media some leeway to gradually implement the new REAL ID regulations, they have not yet provided a detailed explanation of how this rollout would take place. The fine print hasn’t arrived yet, to put it mildly.
Signs alerting travellers to the impending deadline are appearing all throughout security at Denver International Airport, resembling mom’s warnings. To keep travellers informed, the airport’s website also features a virtual flag.
Because no one wants a meltdown at Terminal 4 when someone discovers too late that they brought the wrong ID, Los Angeles International Airport is collaborating with the California DMV to spread the news.
Source: eladelantado
