For years, the US government warned the travelers that they will soon need a real ID to climb domestic flights just to move the deadline. But “soon” seems to be real this time.
From May 7th, a standard license or a state ID will no longer be adopted at the control points of airport safety, according to the Ministry of Homeland Security. Instead, passengers have to present a security -relevant, star -blazoned real ID or another approved form of identification such as a passport.
The change, which is almost 20 years in production, is intended to improve security by determining a more consistent standard for state documentation, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
You need to know the following about the upcoming deadline.
What is a real ID?
A real ID is a state-compliant state driver's license, the permission of the learner or the non-River ID. Real IDs are marked with a star – generally gold or black – and differ in the appearance of the state or territory.
Every inhabitant of a US state or a area who wants to use a driver's license or a non-River ID at a TSA control point must ensure that it is real ID compliant. Driver licenses that do not have the star are not real IDs. Some non -compliant IDs also have the words “federal borders apply”.
The percentage of the Americans, who updated their driver's licenses as a real ID -compliant, seems to vary greatly according to the state. For example, in Pennsylvania, where there were reports of long lines in license offices, the state's traffic department said. In California it is just over 55 percent.
Why does the government need real IDs?
The kidnappers responsible for those responsible for September 11, 2001 wore the US driver licenses and state IDs. As a result, the government pushed to tighten the national standards for state documentation, and in 2005 the Congress passed the Real ID law.
The law sets minimum standards for licenses and other types of ID cards. The enforcement of the real ID law should initially begin in 2008, but for numerous reasons, it was repeatedly delayed, including the Covid 19 pandemic and the opposition from states that were concerned about privacy.
Take real ID cards?
Real IDS will bring you to domestic flights, but you cannot cross them across international borders, including those with Canada and Mexico. They cannot be used for international cruises either. You will almost always need a passport for such trips.
However, a handful of states – Minnesota, Michigan, New York, Washington and Vermont – offer improved driver licenses with which traveling land and sea limits can cross to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean without a pass.
Improved licenses are real ID-compliant, although they display an American flag instead of a star. The location of the flag on the map varies depending on the condition.
Improved licenses cannot be used instead of a passport if you travel internationally with air, and only US citizens can get them. The costs vary depending on the state. In Minnesota, for example, there are an additional 15 US dollars; In New York there are still $ 30.
Are there any other IDs that you can use at the airport?
TSA also accepts certain other forms of identification at airport safety control points. This includes valid passes, constant resident cards (also known as green cards) and maps for trustworthy travel programs such as Global Entry and Nexus, with which Prescreen travelers can quickly transport across the border between the USA and Canada.
According to the US State Department, around 48 percent of Americans have passports.
How do you get a real ID?
In order to apply for a real ID, you generally have to provide a social security number or proof of inadmissibility, confirm your address by documents such as supply calculations or bank statements and check your identity and right -wing status through a handful of additional documents, including a birth certificate or a passport.
Check the driver's license course from your state to find out how you apply and learn more about the specific documentation you need.
To get a real ID, you will most likely have to make a personal appointment that could take a while. There are reports of long lines in license offices in states, including Pennsylvania and Kentucky. New York extends the service lessons in selected offices and increases the number of appointments to meet demand.
In many states, including South Carolina and New York, there are no additional costs to get a real ID if you are already extending your license. But some states calculate extra. For example, Pennsylvania receives a one -time fee of $ 30 in addition to the cost of renewal if you build an upgrade on Real ID for the first time.
Do children and young people need real IDs?
The TSA does not require that they show the identification for domestic trips under the age of 18. Individual airlines have their own guidelines about which types of ID minor year olds have to wear.
Children of all ages have to wear passes for international trips.
Are leaflets really rejected without real ID cards?
The Department of Homeland Security warns on its website that travelers must be compliance with from May 7th.
However, the TSA has general guidelines that passengers who do not bring accepted forms of identification to the airport may be allowed to fly after an additional identity examination. If you have any doubts, your passport will put you on a plane, regardless of whether it is a domestic or an international flight.
At the end of last year, the TSA proposed a rule to enable a gradual two -year transition to implement the real ID to the rules in compliance with delays in compliance with the state.
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