Talking Points – REAL ID Act (December 22, 2017)
Talking Points – REAL ID Act & Acceptable Identification
Copyright © 2017 – Travel Leaders Group LLC. All rights reserved.
The following Talking Points can be used in conversations with the media and customers when discussing the REAL ID Act, its future implementation and its impact on travel. (Updated December 22, 2017)
- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s “REAL ID Act” will ultimately require all state-issued drivers’ licenses to include “machine-readable technology” or chips to mitigate the number of air and cruise passengers using counterfeit forms of identification to pass through security.
- The final phase of the REAL ID Act will be implemented beginning January 22, 2018. More than 20 states have been granted a grace period until then, while their compliancy is under review.
- We provide the facts so our clients can make informed decisions about their travel plans.
Below you will find additional information, supporting material, and statistics supporting each talking point.
- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s “REAL ID Act” will ultimately require all state-issued drivers’ licenses to include “machine-readable technology” or chips to mitigate the number of air and cruise passengers using counterfeit forms of identification to pass through security.
According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), “REAL ID is a coordinated effort by the states and the Federal Government to improve the reliability and accuracy of state-issued identification documents, which should inhibit terrorists’ ability to evade detection by using fraudulent identification. REAL ID implements a 9/11 Commission recommendation urging the federal government to “set standards for the issuance of sources of identification, such as driver’s licenses.”
The REAL ID Act:
o “Establishes minimum standards for the production and issuance of state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards and authorizes grants to assist states in implementing the requirements.”
o “Prohibits Federal agencies from accepting for official uses driver’s licenses and identity cards from states unless the Department of Homeland Security determines that the state meets the standards. Official uses are defined as accessing Federal facilities, entering nuclear power plants, and boarding federally-regulated commercial aircraft.”
“REAL ID is not a national identification card. States and territories will continue to issue driver’s licenses and identification cards, and there is no Federal database of driver information. Each jurisdiction will issue its own unique license and maintain its own records.”
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA), which is part of DHS, requires adult passengers 18 and over to show valid identification at the airport checkpoint in order to
travel. (TSA does not require children under 18 to provide identification when traveling with a companion within the United States.) These forms of identification include:
o Driver’s license or other state photo identity cards issued by Department of Motor Vehicles (or equivalent)
o U.S. passport
o U.S. passport card
o DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
o U.S. military ID (active duty or retired military and their dependents, and DoD civilians)
o Permanent resident card
o Border crossing card
o DHS-designated enhanced driver’s license
o Airline or airport-issued ID (if issued under a TSA-approved security plan)
o Federally recognized, tribal-issued photo ID
o HSPD-12 PIV card
o Foreign government-issued passport
o Canadian provincial driver’s license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card
o Transportation worker identification credential
REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or state ID differ from a standard driver’s license or state ID.
o A REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or ID card will have a star in a gold circle printed on it – or the American flag in the case of an enhanced license or ID card. Standard licenses and state IDs (which do not meet the federal REAL ID requirements) will have “Not for Federal Identification” printed on them.
o Travelers should check with their state’s Secretary of State about the status of that state’s compliancy.
- The final phase of the REAL ID Act will be implemented beginning January 22, 2018, More than 20 states have been granted a grace period until then, while their compliancy is under review.
On January 8, 2016, the DHS announced the final phase of implementation of the REAL ID Act will take place on January 22, 2018. Full enforcement will begin on October 1, 2020.
o More than 20 states were granted extensions until October 10, 2017. By time the extensions expired on October 10, 2017, most states that were still not compliant were granted an additional extension until October 10, 2018. These extensions also applied to non-compliant to territories such as Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. For a list of states who have received extensions, are compliant or are under review, see the Department of Homeland Security Real ID site: https://www.dhs.gov/real-id.
“Extensions are renewable at the discretion of the Secretary [of Homeland Security] provided there is adequate justification for continued noncompliance. Renewal is not automatic and the state should provide DHS with information about their progress in implementing any outstanding standards.”
In determining whether to grant extensions, DHS will consider among other things:
Progress made by jurisdiction in implementing the minimum standards of the Act;
Justification for noncompliance and plans for implementing any unmet requirements; and
Existence of external factors (e.g., resources, contract cycles, operations issues) that would delay full implementation.
The states that were fully compliant, as of October 10, 2017:
| Alabama
Arizona Arkansas Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia |
Hawaii
Indiana Iowa Kansas Maryland Mississippi Nebraska Nevada New Mexico North Carolina |
Ohio
South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming |