Flying with a Washington State driver’s license will soon become a thing of the past for residents of the Evergreen State. Starting on October 1, 2020, the state’s driver’s licenses will no longer be accepted as a valid form of identification for domestic air travel under the REAL ID Act.
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, including the requirement that all state-issued IDs must meet certain federal guidelines in order to be accepted for official purposes, such as boarding a domestic flight or entering a federal building.
Washington State was one of the last states to comply with the REAL ID Act, and as a result, its driver’s licenses did not meet the necessary requirements for federal identification. In order to fly domestically after October 1, 2020, residents of Washington State will need to obtain a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or identification card, or another form of acceptable identification, such as a passport or military ID.
Obtaining a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license in Washington State is a relatively straightforward process, but it does require residents to provide additional documentation beyond what is typically required for a standard driver’s license. Applicants will need to provide proof of identity, such as a birth certificate or passport, proof of residency, such as a utility bill or rental agreement, and proof of social security number, such as a social security card or W-2 form.
While the deadline for REAL ID compliance is still several months away, transportation officials in Washington State are encouraging residents to begin the process of obtaining a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license as soon as possible in order to avoid potential delays or complications closer to the deadline.
In addition to domestic air travel, the REAL ID Act will also impact access to federal facilities, such as military bases or nuclear power plants, as well as certain types of federal benefits and services. As such, Washington State residents who do not already have a passport or other form of federally-accepted identification are encouraged to begin the process of obtaining a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license sooner rather than later.
In anticipation of the increased demand for REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses, the Washington State Department of Licensing has increased staffing levels at its driver’s licensing offices and expanded online appointment scheduling options for residents. The Department of Licensing has also launched an informational campaign to educate residents about the upcoming changes and the steps they need to take to ensure they are able to continue flying domestically after October 1, 2020.
For residents who are not able to obtain a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license before the deadline, there are still options for alternate forms of identification that will be accepted for domestic air travel. Passports, passport cards, military IDs, and certain other forms of federally-accepted identification will continue to be valid for flying within the United States after October 1, 2020.
Overall, the upcoming changes to federal identification requirements for domestic air travel are a significant development for residents of Washington State. As the deadline for compliance approaches, transportation officials are urging residents to take the necessary steps to ensure they have the proper identification in order to continue flying domestically without any interruptions or complications. By planning ahead and obtaining a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or another accepted form of ID, residents can ensure a smooth and efficient travel experience in the future.
