The TSA will accept your driver’s license as an ID for domestic flights if it is a Real ID, meaning it meeting the federal standards for driver’s licenses. The higher standards mean your license will be tamper-proofed and signifies that your identification has been verified and approved by the TSA. Your DMV will provide you what documents you need to bring when applying for the newer ID. You will have to prove who you are and where you reside to get a Real ID driver’s license. The bottom line is… Driver’s licenses and IDs must now meet the Act’s minimum standards when they are produced by the states. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has set standards not entirely dissimilar from the requirements already in place for most states throughout the country, however, not all states are/were compliant. The REAL ID Act sets forth new federally mandated requirements for all state driver’s licenses and ID cards. Until October 1st, your old license or ID is still valid. You need to have a new federally compliant driver’s license known as a Real ID issued to you by your state to use as ID to get through TSA and board a plane as of October 1st, 2021. Therefore, any new license or requested replacement license is a Real ID. Theft-proof wallet tucks inside your pants from your belt – See how Getting a Compliant Real ID Now is Easy All states are now issuing driver’s licenses and IDs that are compliant with the federal regulations of the Real ID Act.
The REAL ID Act, passed by Congress in 2005, enacted the 9/11 Commission’s recommendation that the Federal Government “set standards for the issuance of sources of identification, such as driver’s licenses.” This Act ensures that a driver’s license issued by all states meets all the same new higher standards of identity verification as set forth by the federal government. The purpose of secure driver’s licenses and identification documents is a vital component of our national security framework. If your driver’s license is not a Real ID on October 1st, 2021, then here’s a workaround, assuming you have a passport you can use your passport as your ID to fly domestically since passports are federally issued documents. Why is this important to you and domestic travel? Because you need a federally approved driver’s license or similar ID to board a plane on or after October 1st, 2021.
States have had to increase their standards to meet the federal standards for driver’s licenses to be considered REAL IDs.
Take the IDocument Guide quiz or review our valid proof documents checklist to learn what required documents you need to gather or update before applying.The Real ID Act is legislation that imposes much stricter measures on how people can obtain a state’s driver’s license and sets more thorough standards as to what will be displayed on the licenses. To save time and avoid repeat trips when applying for a REAL ID, citizens are urged to prepare now.
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is opening Driver Licensing Regional Offices to make the new card versions available. Other federally approved documents, like a valid passport or passport card, are accepted for U.S. Although there will be travel and access restrictions on the enforcement date, REAL ID cards are optional and citizens do not have to obtain one before the deadline. commercial air travel or to visit military bases and federal facilities that require ID (like the White House). When REAL ID enforcement goes into effect May 3rd, 2023, Kentucky driver’s licenses without a black star cannot be used at airport security checkpoints for U.S. Kentucky is working to make REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses available statewide at regional locations as quickly and efficiently as possible.