Starting May 7, all US air travelers aged 18 and older will be required to present a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or another acceptable form of identification, such as a valid passport, to board domestic flights and access certain federal facilities, specifically those serving jets. The small commuter flights that buzz around Alaska are not impacted by this requirement, as passengers do not go through Transportation Security Administration screening to reach their boarding gates.
The upcoming enforcement marks the culmination of the REAL ID Act, enacted by Congress in 2005 to enhance national security following the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks. The rollout has been, however, delayed five times.
A REAL ID-compliant license is typically distinguished by a star in the top right corner. To obtain one, applicants must visit the Department of Motor Vehicles and provide specific documentation, including proof of identity (such as a birth certificate or passport), proof of Social Security number, and two additional proofs of residency. The ID is manufactured out of state and mailed to the recipient, and it can take a few weeks.
In Alaska, while obtaining a REAL ID is not mandatory for non-commercial drivers, those holding a commercial driver’s license are already required to be federally compliant and must upgrade to a REAL ID at the time of license expiration, if not already compliant.
Air travelers who do not possess a REAL ID-compliant license by the deadline will need to present an alternative form of acceptable identification, such as a valid US passport or some military ID types to pass through TSA checkpoints. Failure to provide such identification may result in being denied access to flights or federal facilities like military bases or nuclear facilities.
Alaska has updated its identification cards. Both the standard ID cards and REAL ID-compliant cards feature the new design but are distinguished by specific markings. REAL ID cards will display a star symbol in the top right corner to indicate compliance, while standard ID cards will not have the star and will include the notation “Federal limits apply.”
Alaskans report that lines at the Department of Motor Vehicles offices have been long, sometimes hours. Even if you get through the REAL ID process, the ID cards themselves are not printed on the spot, but will arrive in the mail weeks later.
Truly sad that Trump/Noem didn’t give us another delay from this onerous glo alist requirement. It’s all about control, and does nothing for security.
The super cool thing about this is if you live in Alaska, renew your ID then suddenly have to travel… as far as I can tell you are hosed. Unless you have a passport or passport card. Still, it sets people up to be in an unexpected bind if the timing is off. Kind of lame…