Starting October 1, 2020, Kentucky residents will need a Real ID-compliant driver’s license or identification card to board domestic flights or enter federal facilities. This new requirement is part of the Real ID Act passed by Congress in 2005 in response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
The Real ID Act set minimum security standards for state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards. These enhanced security measures were designed to combat terrorism, reduce identity fraud, and improve the reliability and accuracy of identification documents.
Kentucky began offering Real ID-compliant driver’s licenses and identification cards in 2019. Residents who renewed their licenses or applied for a new one had the option to upgrade to a Real ID-compliant card. However, starting October 1, 2020, all Kentucky residents will need a Real ID-compliant card if they wish to board domestic flights or enter federal facilities.
To obtain a Real ID-compliant driver’s license or identification card, residents will need to provide additional documentation when renewing their licenses. This documentation includes proof of identity (such as a birth certificate or passport), proof of Social Security number (such as a Social Security card or W-2 form), and proof of residency (such as a utility bill or lease agreement).
Residents can renew their driver’s licenses and upgrade to a Real ID-compliant card at their local Circuit Court Clerk’s office. They can also renew their licenses online through the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s website. The cost of renewing a driver’s license and upgrading to a Real ID-compliant card is the same as renewing a regular driver’s license.
Kentucky residents are encouraged to renew their driver’s licenses and upgrade to Real ID-compliant cards as soon as possible to avoid any inconveniences when traveling or accessing federal facilities after October 1, 2020. Failure to have a Real ID-compliant card could result in being denied entry to a domestic flight or federal facility.
In addition to providing additional documentation, residents will need to have their photo taken and pass a vision test when renewing their driver’s licenses. The process of renewing a driver’s license and upgrading to a Real ID-compliant card typically takes about 15 minutes, depending on the number of people in line at the Circuit Court Clerk’s office.
Kentucky residents who hold a valid passport, military ID, or other form of federal identification will not need to upgrade to a Real ID-compliant card, as these forms of identification already meet the requirements of the Real ID Act.
For those who do not drive or require a driver’s license, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet offers a state-issued identification card that is Real ID-compliant. This card can be obtained by providing the same documentation required for a Real ID-compliant driver’s license.
Overall, the transition to Real ID-compliant driver’s licenses and identification cards is aimed at enhancing security and combatting identity fraud. Kentucky residents are encouraged to be proactive in renewing their licenses and upgrading to Real ID-compliant cards to ensure they can travel and access federal facilities without any issues.
