The deadline for the United States travelers to obtain real identification is quickly approaching, and those who do not have one may not be able to address flights within the US.
The real identification card is an optional updated driver’s license or a state identification card issued by a state driving licenses and marked with a star.
The good news: there are other forms of identification that American travelers can use, such as a valid American passport, a passport card, a permanent resident card or certain trusted travel cards of the National Security Department, if they cannot obtain a real identification before the deadline, May 7.
“There are single that people can use,” said John Breyault, a trip expert at the National Consumers League, a consumer defense group. “Most people already have the ability to travel, whether they have a real identification or not.”
About 19% of travelers do not yet have a real identification type that comply with ID, according to transportation management data from Thursday.
Passengers who arrive at the airport without an acceptable identification form “can expect to face delays, additional detection and the possibility of not being allowed at the security control point,” according to the TSA.
Even passengers who have a real identification card or other acceptable identification should aim to be at the airport at least 1½ hours before their flight, due to probably delays in the airport safety lines as it starts, Brayault said.
What is the real identification law?
The Congress approved the real identification law in 2005. The law established the minimum safety standards for driving licenses issued by the State and identification cards.
The Federal Government will require that Americans accessing federal facilities have a real identification from May 7. That includes travelers who pass through the safety control points of the TSA airport and the commercial planes of the Board, even for national flights.
The rule applies to all passengers of airlines over 18, including TSA Precheck members.
How to avoid the real identification rule
Travelers can avoid the requirement of presenting a real identification card if they have other types of identification approved.
The experts said that the most common among them are: a passport or a passport card; a global entrance card; An improved driver’s license issued by the state of Washington, Michigan, Minnesota, New York or Vermont; or a permanent resident card, also known as green card.
Here is a list of all acceptable alternatives, according to the TSA:
Improved driving license issued by the State
American passport
American passport card
Trust travel cards of the National Security Department (Global Input, Nexus, Sentri, Fast)
ID of the United States Department of Defense, including identifications issued to dependents
Permanent resident card
Edge
An acceptable photographic identification issued by a tribal nation/Indian tribe recognized by the federal government, including improved tribal cards (etc).
PIV HSPD-12 card
Passport issued by the foreign government
Canadian provincial driver’s license or Indian affairs card and northern Canada
Transport workers identification credential
Employment authorization card of citizenship and immigration services of the United States (I-766)
American commercial sailors credential
Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)
‘Get that real identification’
It can be more risky to travel with an alternative document such as a passport for national flights, said Sally French, a tripwallet trip expert.
“A passport is much more complicated to replace than a driver’s license, and is more expensive,” French said. “Get that real identification.”
A traditional passport book costs $ 130 to renew. The real identification rates vary according to the State, but they are generally less expensive, experts said. In general, they are not more expensive than a standard driver’s license.
For example, in California it costs $ 45 to renew a standard driver’s license or $ 39 to renew a regular identification card; In Virginia, there is a unique real identification rate of $ 10, plus a driver’s license rate, usually $ 32.
Desperate travelers can also bet on the airport without a form of real identification identification on May 7 and beyond, and Hope Airport agents show some mercy, French said.
It is a “much longer detection” process and is not guaranteed, French said. It’s a “Mary Hail,” he said.
