Flying with a California driver’s license may soon become a thing of the past for residents traveling domestically. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced that starting in October 2020, all California driver’s licenses will no longer be accepted as a valid form of identification for boarding domestic flights. This decision comes after the state of California failed to comply with the Real ID Act, a federal law passed in 2005 to improve the security of state-issued IDs.
The Real ID Act requires states to meet certain security standards for their driver’s licenses and identification cards in order for them to be accepted for federal purposes, including boarding domestic flights and entering federal buildings. These standards include verifying the identity of the applicant, conducting background checks, and incorporating specific security features into the ID cards.
Despite being given multiple extensions to comply with the Real ID Act, California has been unable to meet the necessary requirements. This has raised concerns among federal officials about the integrity of California driver’s licenses and their ability to prevent fraud and identity theft. As a result, the DHS has made the difficult decision to stop accepting California driver’s licenses for domestic flights, starting in October 2020.
Many California residents are understandably upset about this news, as they will now be required to obtain an alternative form of identification in order to fly within the United States. The most common alternative is a valid passport, but not everyone has one readily available, and the process of obtaining a passport can be time-consuming and expensive.
In response to this issue, the state of California has announced that it will begin issuing Real ID-compliant driver’s licenses in the coming months. These new licenses will meet the federal security standards required for domestic air travel and other federal purposes. Residents who wish to continue using their driver’s license as a form of identification will need to upgrade to the Real ID-compliant version before the October 2020 deadline.
The process of upgrading to a Real ID-compliant driver’s license involves providing additional documentation to prove identity, such as a birth certificate or social security card, and undergoing a background check. The cost of upgrading to a Real ID-compliant driver’s license is expected to be higher than the standard driver’s license fee, but exact prices have not yet been released by the California Department of Motor Vehicles.
While the decision to stop accepting California driver’s licenses for domestic flights may inconvenience some residents in the short term, federal officials believe that it is necessary to ensure the security of air travel and protect against potential threats. By requiring all states to meet the security standards of the Real ID Act, the DHS aims to prevent fraudulent IDs from being used to board flights and gain access to federal facilities.
California residents who are concerned about the upcoming changes to air travel requirements are encouraged to start the process of upgrading to a Real ID-compliant driver’s license as soon as possible. This will help to ensure a smooth transition once the new regulations go into effect in October 2020. Additionally, residents may consider obtaining a passport as a backup form of identification for domestic travel, as it will continue to be accepted as a valid form of ID.
Overall, the decision to stop accepting California driver’s licenses for domestic flights reflects the federal government’s commitment to enhancing security measures and preventing fraud in air travel. While the change may pose challenges for some residents, it is ultimately intended to create a safer and more secure environment for all passengers traveling within the United States.
