The Real ID Act was passed by Congress in 2005 as a response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks and aimed to set standards for the issuance of driver’s licenses and identification cards. The Act established minimum security standards for state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards and prohibited federal agencies from accepting licenses and identification cards from states that do not meet these standards for official purposes, such as accessing federal facilities or boarding commercial aircraft.
Fast forward to 2021, and the implementation deadline for the Real ID Act has been extended multiple times due to various reasons, including the COVID-19 pandemic. The latest deadline for compliance is now set for May 3, 2023, and many states are working diligently to meet the requirements set forth by the Act.
One of the main components of the Real ID Act is the verification of identity and lawful status of individuals applying for driver’s licenses and identification cards. This includes requiring applicants to provide documents such as a birth certificate or valid passport to prove their identity and legal status in the United States. Additionally, the Act mandates that all states must use facial recognition technology to prevent fraud and identity theft.
States that are not compliant with the Real ID Act risk having their driver’s licenses and identification cards deemed invalid for federal purposes, meaning that residents of those states would not be able to access federal buildings, board commercial aircraft, or enter certain secure facilities without an alternative form of identification, such as a passport.
However, becoming compliant with the Real ID Act has proved to be a daunting task for many states, as it requires significant upgrades to their driver’s license issuance systems and processes. Some states have faced challenges in meeting the technological and security requirements of the Act, while others have struggled to obtain the necessary funding to make the required changes.
Despite these challenges, a majority of states have made significant progress in becoming Real ID compliant. As of September 2021, all 50 states and territories are issuing Real ID-compliant driver’s licenses and identification cards, with the majority of states already fully compliant with the Act’s requirements.
In states that are not yet fully compliant with the Real ID Act, residents may still be able to use their current driver’s licenses and identification cards for non-federal purposes, such as driving, voting, or purchasing alcohol. However, they will need to obtain an alternative form of identification, such as a passport or military ID, to access federal facilities or board commercial aircraft.
The implementation of the Real ID Act has sparked debate among lawmakers and privacy advocates, with some arguing that the Act infringes on individual privacy rights and opens the door to potential abuse of the data collected by state motor vehicle agencies. Others argue that the Act is necessary to protect national security and prevent fraud and identity theft.
Despite the ongoing debate, the Real ID Act remains the law of the land, and states that have not yet complied with its requirements are working diligently to meet the May 3, 2023 deadline. As the deadline approaches, it is crucial for residents to ensure that their driver’s licenses and identification cards are Real ID compliant to avoid any disruptions in their ability to access federal facilities or board commercial aircraft.
