Real ID compliancy for air travel pushed back to October 2018
As expected, the January 2018 deadline for Real ID compliancy for air travelers has been pushed back to October 11, 2018.
The Transportation Security Administration will not immediately enforce Real ID rules for those states not yet issuing the required ID documents.
These include Kentucky, Maine, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Washington, which were about to fall foul of the rule.
Real ID regulations, which date back more than a decade, require more secure ID cards for all residents, and each state has differing rules on how to apply for a Real ID driver’s license.
Some require in-person applications while others insist on a variety of documents which could range from proof of residency or a social security number.
It has caused confusion for years especially over legal issues while states have struggled with costs to implement the new application procedures.
Even the January 2018 deadline was an extension from a previous 2016 cut-off date.
While these nine states are likely to be REAL ID ready by October, there are many more states which are still way behind, although they have already negotiated their own extensions through late 2020.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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