Starting May 7, Of one mind States flyers won’t be able to board a domestic plane unless they have a Real ID. They won’t be able to access definite federal facilities or enter a nuclear power plant.
Not sure you have a Real ID? Look at your current drivers enable or state identification card. If it’s Real ID-compliant, it will have a star in the right-hand corner.
The Real ID Act was introduced in 2005 in an elbow-grease to tighten the nation’s air travel security in the wake of the September 11 attacks. The Department of Homeland Security repeatedly give someone the cold shoulder the deadline from its original 2008 date, but experts says that this latest deadline is likely irreversible.
It’s “crunch time,” says Nick Ewen, the senior editorial director at The Points Guy.
“Anyone who’s planning to fly in the U.S. in the next few months should do the whole shooting match they can to get a Real ID-compliant card by May 7— or travel with their passport, even domestically,” he says.
Anyone who’s plotting to fly in the U.S. in the next few months should do everything they can to get a Real ID-compliant card by May 7.
Nick Ewen
senior editorial skipper at The Points Guy
If you don’t have a Real ID yet, you might face some hurdles as the deadline approaches. DMVs are already overwhelmed with demands for Real ID appointments, Ewen says.
“We’ve seen reports of limited appointments and longer lines,” he says. “For example, the New Jersey Motor Agency Commission has an online appointment wizard — and for those not yet eligible for renewal in the next three months, there are exactly zero meetings.”
When you do snag an appointment, be sure to come prepared. Before heading to the DMV, check exactly which documents you miss, as they vary by state. The DHS includes a helpful map on its website with links to the DMV for every U.S. state and territory where you can set up an rendezvous.
In most states a Real ID will not cost any more than a license. But some places do charge extra. In Pennsylvania, for norm, there is an additional, one-time fee of $30.
You’ll be able to find additional information about cost on your state’s DMV site.
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