REAL ID deadline less than a week away, here’s what you need to know
EVANSVILLE, Ind. (WFIE) - The REAL ID deadline is May 7th, meaning air travelers have less than a week until airport safety screening rules change.
Starting next week, all passengers over the age of 18 need to have a REAL ID, passport or another acceptable form of ID to avoid delays and board their flight.
The REAL ID Act passed Congress in 2005 and was a direct safety response to 9/11. The program has seen several long delays, before the final deadline hits on May 7th.
“Passengers need to check their drivers licenses and see if they have that star,” TSA Regional Spokesperson Jessica Mayle said. “You might already be in compliance and not realize you did it a few years ago. Then just make sure whenever your travel plans are going forward.”
Mayle says around 81% of people screened at airports have been carrying an acceptable form of ID under the new rules.
“I think there’s a population within that 19% who have something that would work, they just weren’t using it that day because we’re not to the deadline yet,” Mayle said. “We’ll see when we get there. We have an operational plan in place and we’re going to try and get as many people through as we can.”
And the TSA continues giving out reminders to travelers who don’t yet have REAL IDs.
“Going on for almost a year at this point, if you come through and you don’t have a REAL ID our machine validates that ID and tells us that, and we’ve been handing out paper reminders,” she said. “Definitely have noticed in the last few weeks that passengers are paying more attention those which is great, but now is the time if you have imminent travel coming up in the month of May.”
If you plan to travel without a REAL ID, expect delays. Mayle says you’ll have to go through extra security before boarding your flight.
“If you know you’re coming without any form of acceptable ID, just give yourself lots of extra time,” Mayle said.
For a full list of acceptable IDs, click HERE.
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