Over the next few weeks the Transport Security Administration (TSA) is ramping up its Real ID deadline awareness campaign with information posters and leaflets at airports throughout the country. In case you’ve forgotten, Real ID is an upgraded driver’s licence that meets newer federal security standards at TSA checkpoints. If your state isn’t compliant yet, you may need alternative ID when flying domestically.

The Real ID Act will go into effect on 1 October, 2020, meaning that all air travellers must carry a Real ID-compliant driver’s licence or alternative acceptable identification to fly domestically. Currently, all states are either compliant or have extensions, with the exception of California, which is still under review.

“TSA is doing everything we can to prepare our partners and the traveling public for the Real ID deadline next year,” said TSA Administrator David Pekoske in a statement. “The security requirements of the Real ID Act will dramatically enhance and improve commercial aviation security.”

The states with extensions are Maine (10 October, 2019), Rhode Island (1 May, 2019), New Jersey (10 October, 2019), Pennsylvania (1 August, 2019), Kentucky (1 August, 2019), Missouri (1 August, 2019), Oklahoma, (10 October, 2019) Montana (1 June, 2o19), Oregon (10 October, 2019) and Alaska (1 June, 2019). If state drivers’ licenses do not become compliant by their extension date, residents will need to bring another form of ID to the airport when flying domestically.

California is the only state under review and that’s caused some confusion. In December, SF Gate reported that the new ID cards issued by California’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) didn’t meet the federal government’s standards. Instead of requiring two forms of proof of residency, the California DMV was only requiring one form, which wasn’t sufficient. But the federal government agreed to recognise the 2.3 million Real ID cards already issued as valid and they can be accepted until 24 May, 2019.

And by October 2020, the law will fully come into effect and all states will have ensured that their new ID cards are compliant. By that date, air travellers won’t be able to fly domestically without one (passports are obviously still required for international travel). It’s important to note that states will not automatically send individuals compliant driver’s licenses. Instead, individuals must apply in person at their local DMV and bring identifying documentation, such as a birth certificate or a passport and be prepared to take a new photo.

You can discover more background information on Real ID through a previous article we published here. Otherwise, you can check out the TSA website for more information.