The Real ID Act goes into effect next year. Here’s how to make sure you’re ready for travel
Washingtonians are less than a year away from no longer being able to use a standard driver’s license to fly.
The Washington Department of Licensing released a statement last week reminding residents they will need an Enhanced Driver’s License by May 3, 2023, when the Real ID Act goes into effect, to travel by air if they do not have other types of identification.
DOL said other identification that can still be used for domestic airline travel after next year include:
Permanent resident card
Military ID
Passports
Passport cards
Foreign passports
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card
Federally recognized, tribal-issued photo ID
The TSA has a full list of acceptable IDs that can be used next year on their website.
Those who do not have those forms of identification will be required to have an enhanced driver’s license to fly. Standard driver’s licenses and other IDs will still be good for rail and car travel.
EDLs have a $35 application fee plus a $13-a-year issuance fee. EDLs issued in 2022 are $113 for 6 years. EDLs issued in 2023 and 2024 will be $110 for five years.
The Real ID Act was initially supposed to go into effect in 2020, making standard licenses ineffective for travel, but the act was delayed because of licensing office closures during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Congress passed the Real ID Act in 2005 after enacting a recommendation from the 9/11 Commission to streamline and standardize “sources of identification.”
DOL encouraged residents to set up appointments for EDLs before the deadline next year. Appointments are available 30 days in advance and can be made on the DOL’s website: https://www.dol.wa.gov/appointments/
This story was originally published May 8, 2022 at 5:00 AM.
