What California Travelers Need to Know About REAL ID 

 

Are you ready for REAL ID? 

On May 3, 2023, (two years later than previously announced), the U.S. Department of Homeland Security will implement the final phase of REAL ID enforcement, requiring Americans to present a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or another acceptable form of authenticated ID to go through airport security checkpoints.

REAL ID refers to a set of security standards established by Congress in 2005 for card issuance, card design and application processing that individual states must follow when issuing driver’s licenses and other forms of identification; most REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses feature a star in the upper-right corner.
The State of California Department of Motor Vehicles requirements: Beginning May 3, 2023, you will need to show federally-compliant identification in order to board a domestic flight within the U.S. and enter secure federal facilities, such as military bases, federal courthouses, and other secure federal locations.
Follow the prompts here to find out if you need a REAL ID.

However, an estimated 99 million Americans (39%) do not have any form of identification (e.g. REAL ID-compliant driver’s license, U.S. passport, U.S. military ID or an enhanced driver’s license) that will be accepted after October 1, 2021. Furthermore, the majority of Americans (57%) are unaware of the October 1, 2021 deadline for enforcement. Air travel risks being seriously disrupted if millions of passengers are turned away on October 1, 2021, for not having the necessary documents to fly.

The Marin Convention & Visitors Bureau is working with the larger travel industry and our government partners to educate California travelers on REAL ID enforcement. Policy changes that allow alternative forms of authentication in place of a REAL ID at airport security checkpoints—including biometric screening and existing enrollment in Trusted Traveler Programs—can help mitigate the effects of REAL ID enforcement, while also ensuring a secure and efficient screening process.

It is our desire that all air travelers flying within the U.S. secure a REAL ID compliant form of identification well ahead of next year’s deadline in order to keep the air travel process moving without disruption.

Helpful links here:
https://realid.dmv.ca.gov/

https://realid.dmv.ca.gov/what-is-real-id-faq/#what-is-faq-heading

REAL ID enforcement is coming—let’s make sure we’re all prepared