(NewsNation) — Americans who rely on air travel to reach their destinations only have a little over a month before they will be required to obtain a REAL ID to board a domestic flight.
The May 7 deadline, which has been bumped back several times, is quickly approaching and has caused travelers who have upcoming flights to scramble to meet the requirement to obtain the enhanced driver’s license. Travelers will soon need a REAL ID, U.S. passport or another approved form of identification to board a flight in the U.S.
Several states have already warned that residents hoping to beat the deadline could face long lines. Officials in states like Florida are warning that scalpers are charging up to $250 for free appointments at the Miami-Dade area Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) locations.
REAL ID required for those who fly, are 18 years old and older
Federal officials reported that, as of January, only about 56% of driver’s licenses and identification cards in circulation around the country comply with the REAL ID requirements, ABC News reported. The Department of Homeland Security estimates that by the May 7 deadline, only about 61.2% of driver’s licenses and IDs will meet the standard.
Americans ages 18 years and older are required to have a REAL ID if they plan to fly within the United States on a commercial flight or enter federal buildings or nuclear power plants.
The Real ID looks similar to a standard driver’s license but includes a marking, such as a gold star.
What do I need to get a REAL ID?
REAL IDs can be obtained through DMV offices in every state. Applicants must provide documentation that includes the person’s full name, date of birth, and Social Security number, along with two proofs of residence and legal status. Approved forms of these documents include a:
- Birth certificate
- Social Security card
- Passport
REAL ID deadline extended several times due to COVID-19
However, despite warnings from state officials of the looming deadline, which was extended three times during the COVID-19 pandemic, some travelers assumed that they would have more time to obtain the REAL ID, The Wall Street Journal reported.
In Los Angeles, lines at DMV offices snaked around the block as residents struggled to grab appointments before the May 7 deadline to meet the new federal travel standard.
“I feel like they’re going to be a lot more restrictive and (travelers) will need a lot more identification,” California resident Farren Littleton told NewsNation.
States still issuing standard driver’s licenses: Report
Many states have continued to issue standard driver’s licenses, the report said. In some states, such as Illinois, a website for the Secretary of State told residents that May 7 is not a final deadline and that travelers are still able to board a plane with a valid U.S. passport.
TSA officials told NewsNation that, although enforcement of the REAL ID requirement will go into effect on May 7, agencies can make arrangements with the Department of Homeland Security for operational flexibility to avoid crippling the transportation system.
Meanwhile, in Texas, residents can only obtain REAL IDs, and 98% of driver’s licenses are compliant with the new requirements, the Texas Department of Public Safety reported. But, in places like Pennsylvania, where residents still have options for which driver’s license they can carry, only about 25.6% of residents have opted in for the REAL ID, the Wall Street Journal reported.