Pennsylvania to Offer Enhanced Driver’s Licenses for Real ID Compliance
HARRISBURG, PA – In response to the upcoming Real ID requirements, Pennsylvania will now be offering enhanced driver’s licenses to its residents. The Department of Transportation has announced that the enhanced driver’s licenses will be available starting next month.
The Real ID Act was passed by Congress in 2005 in response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The act established minimum security standards for state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards. These standards were set to improve the reliability and accuracy of state-issued identification documents.
The enhanced driver’s licenses will feature a small gold star in the upper-right corner, indicating that the license is compliant with the Real ID Act. This will allow Pennsylvania residents to use their enhanced driver’s licenses as identification for domestic flights and entrance to federal buildings.
“We are pleased to offer our residents the option of obtaining an enhanced driver’s license that is Real ID compliant,” said PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gram. “This will make it easier for our residents to travel and access federal facilities without the need for additional forms of identification.”
To obtain an enhanced driver’s license, residents will need to visit their local PennDOT office and provide the necessary documentation, including proof of identity, proof of Pennsylvanian residency, and proof of Social Security number. The enhanced driver’s license will cost an additional fee on top of the regular driver’s license fee.
The enhanced driver’s licenses are optional, and residents can still choose to use their standard driver’s licenses for identification purposes. However, those without a Real ID-compliant driver’s license or identification card will need to provide an alternative form of identification, such as a passport, to board domestic flights or enter federal facilities starting next year.
Pennsylvania is one of the last states to offer enhanced driver’s licenses in response to the Real ID requirements. Many other states have already implemented the new security measures and have seen an increase in the number of residents obtaining enhanced driver’s licenses.
The enhanced driver’s licenses are expected to be popular among Pennsylvania residents who frequently travel domestically or need to access federal facilities. The added convenience of using a Real ID-compliant driver’s license for identification purposes is expected to make the enhanced driver’s licenses a popular choice among residents.
“We encourage all Pennsylvania residents to consider obtaining an enhanced driver’s license if they travel frequently or need to access federal buildings,” said Secretary Gram. “This will simplify the identification process and make it easier for our residents to travel and access the services they need.”
The Department of Transportation will be providing additional information on the enhanced driver’s licenses and the Real ID Act in the coming weeks. Residents are encouraged to visit the PennDOT website or contact their local PennDOT office for more information on how to obtain an enhanced driver’s license.
With the introduction of enhanced driver’s licenses, Pennsylvania residents can now easily comply with the Real ID Act and ensure that they have the necessary identification to travel and access federal facilities. The enhanced driver’s licenses are expected to be a popular option for residents looking for a convenient and secure form of identification.
