This month marks five years since the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced a phased enforcement plan for the REAL ID Act, which was passed by congress almost eight years earlier.
The REAL ID Act is an enactment of the 9/11 Commission’s recommendation that the Federal Government set universal standards for identification, such as driver’s licenses. Essentially, the Act prohibits Federal agencies from accepting for official purposes (e.g. boarding aircraft, accessing federal facilities, and entering nuclear power plants) licenses and ID cards from states that don’t meet the new standards.
That said, the REAL ID Act and its enforcement schedule are often met with confusion by travelers and travel managers throughout the country. For companies with travelers from different states, keeping track of the different timelines can be tricky, as each state is working towards or attaining compliance in their own way.
Still, the REAL ID Act is not a topic to be taken lightly. It could have a direct impact on your travels or your travel program once it’s enforced.
How so? Well, for starters, your travelers will need to present an acceptable form of identification, or a REAL ID compliant driver’s license, to board an airplane.
To minimize strain on your travelers and, in turn, on your business, check out the resources and recommendations below.
3 Ways to Stay Ahead of REAL ID Enforcement
1. Familiarize Yourself with the Schedule.
Starting January 22, 2018, travelers who do not have a license from a compliant state or a state that has been granted an extension will be asked to provide alternative acceptable identification (listed here). If they cannot provide an acceptable form of identification, they will not be allowed through the security checkpoint.
By October 1, 2020, every air traveler will need a REAL ID compliant license, or another acceptable form of identification, for domestic air travel.
2. Know Your State’s Status.
Understanding the status of each state for your travelers can be tricky, but it is essential. The map below shows which states are under review, on extension, or compliant as of December 4, 2017 (and to make things even easier we have listed the status of every state below).
Things are constantly changing, so to make sure you have the most accurate information, please refer to the DHS website.
Photo credit: Department of Homeland Security
Alabama: Compliant
Alaska: Extension valid through October 10, 2018
American Samoa: Under review
Arizona: Compliant
Arkansas: Compliant
California: Extension valid through October 10, 2018
Colorado: Compliant
Connecticut: Compliant
Delaware: Compliant
District of Columbia: Compliant
Florida: Compliant
Georgia: Compliant
Guam: Extension valid through October 10, 2018
Hawaii: Compliant
Idaho: Extension valid through October 10, 2018
Illinois: Extension valid through October 10, 2018
Indiana: Compliant
Iowa: Compliant
Kansas: Compliant
Kentucky: Extension valid through October 10, 2018
Louisiana: Under review
Maine: Extension valid through October 10, 2018
Maryland: Compliant
Massachusetts: Extension valid through October 10, 2018
Michigan: Under review
Minnesota: Extension valid through October 10, 2018
Mississippi: Compliant
Missouri: Extension valid through October 10, 2018
Montana: Extension valid through October 10, 2018
Nebraska: Compliant
Nevada: Compliant
New Hampshire: Extension valid through October 10, 2018
New Jersey: Extension valid through October 10, 2018
New Mexico: Compliant
New York: Under review
North Carolina: Compliant
North Dakota: Extension valid through October 10, 2018
Northern Mariana Islands: Under review
Ohio: Compliant
Oklahoma: Extension valid through October 10, 2018
Oregon: Extension valid through October 10, 2018
Pennsylvania: Extension valid through October 10, 2018
Puerto Rico: Under review
Rhode Island: Under review
South Carolina: Extension valid through October 10, 2018
South Dakota: Compliant
Tennessee: Compliant
Texas: Compliant
Utah: Compliant
Vermont: Compliant
Virginia: Extension valid through October 10, 2018
U.S. Virgin Islands: Under review
Washington: Extension valid through October 10, 2018
West Virginia: Compliant
Wisconsin: Compliant
Wyoming: Compliant
3. Get a REAL ID Driver’s License Sooner Rather than Later.
Even if your state currently has an extension and there’s not a run on the DMV, it’s much better to be proactive. If you take steps to get your REAL ID driver’s license sooner, rather than later, you can avoid the headache and stress of rushing out to get a new license (or renewing it online) right before a scheduled trip.
Some states, who are anticipating compliance, are urging customers to begin gathering their required documents for the application process. For a full list of these documents, check your state’s DMV website.
If your state isn’t quite REAL ID ready, have your passport or alternative identification on-hand to show at the airport.
Questions, comments, or concerns? Drop us a line below.
