****UPDATE – These dates have been pushed back to October 1, 2021 due to the COVID-19 restriction*********
This is my year for renewals, both my drivers license and my passport are on their last legs of eligibility. Knowing that the REAL ID deadline is fast approaching I decided to kill two birds with one stone and not only renew my license this week but “make it real!”
You may be asking, “What is a REAL ID and why do I need one?”
The federal Government passed the REAL ID Act in 2005 basically requiring a minimum security standard for state-issued IDs such as a driver’s license. The enforcement date has been pushed back repeatedly over the years to give the States time to put procedures into place. That time is quickly winding down.
Beginning October 1, 2020, every air traveler 18 years of age and older will need a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license, state-issued enhanced driver’s license, or another acceptable form of ID to fly within the United States.
So, now that you know you’ll need one to fly, your next question is probably “How do I get one?”
I’m happy to report that the process is quite simple in Virginia, albeit a bit cumbersome. You’ll need a combination of documents: one proof of identity, one proof of legal presence, two proofs of Virginia residency, one proof of your social security number and your current driver’s license. Personally, the combination of my current Passport, voter registration card, current license and my social security card were enough to fill all of the requirements. Check the DMV website for your state to obtain the complete list.
I went yesterday to start the process. I was in and out of the DMV office in under 30 minutes. I should have my updated license within a week. (I miss the days where you were able to walk out of DMV with a shiny new license in hand.) In the meantime I have a nifty “VOID” chunk missing from my current ID and paperwork that I need to carry along with me until the new license arrives. At first glance the standard driver’s license and the one with the REAL ID compliance will appear the same. The only difference is the REAL ID will have a star in the upper right-hand corner that indicates it’s REAL ID compliant.