PHOENIX – Current Arizona driver licenses and state identification cards are valid for air travel until Oct. The Arizona Department of Transportation is sharing that message with travelers who may be confused by new Transportation Security Administration placards posted at airports. Airline passengers in five states and a U.S. Territory will be unable to present their current driver's licenses at airport checkpoints after Jan. 22, 2018, under new rules announced on Friday.
Contact: Office of Public Affairs
2415 First Avenue
Sacramento, CA 95818
(916) 657–6437 | dmvpublicaffairs@dmv.ca.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 16, 2017
Federal Enforcement Begins October 1, 2020
Sacramento – The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will begin offering the option to apply for a federal compliant REAL ID driver license or identification (ID) card beginning January 22, 2018 at DMV offices statewide. Californians may choose either a REAL ID or a federal non-compliant card.
The federal REAL ID Act of 2005 was passed by Congress in response to the events of 9/11. Under the REAL ID Act, all states must meet requirements set by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for its driver licenses and identification cards to be accepted for federal purposes, such as boarding a domestic flight or visiting a military base or certain federal facilities, by October 1, 2020.
The federal compliant REAL ID driver license or ID card is optional. A valid US Passport or US Passport Card, military ID, or other federally approved identification can be used to board a domestic flight or enter certain federal facilities. If a customer has another federally approved identification, does not fly, or does not plan to visit a military base or certain federal facilities, they do not need a REAL ID and will have the option to apply for a federal non-compliant driver license or ID card.
Valid California driver licenses and ID cards will continue to be accepted by TSA to board a domestic flight and by federal agents to enter certain federal facilities until October 1, 2020. After that date, a REAL ID or other federally accepted ID will be required.
“The DMV wants to make sure our customers are informed about their choices starting in January 2018,” DMV Director Jean Shiomoto said. “If you choose to apply for a REAL ID, consider waiting until your renewal date, if possible. We always encourage customers to make an appointment when visiting a field office.”
A DMV field office visit is required to apply for a REAL ID card. Applicants should make an appointment and must be prepared with the following documents:
✔ Proof of Identity: Such as a certified copy of a U.S. birth certificate, a valid U.S. passport, employment authorization document, permanent resident card or foreign passport with an approved form I-94.
✔ Proof of Social Security Number: Such as a Social Security card, W-2, or paystub with full SSN.
✔ California Residency Document: Such as a rental agreement, mortgage bill, utility bill, medical, employment or school document.
✔ Name Change Document: This may be required if your identity document is different from the name on your application. Such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, other court document.
Customers do not have to come into a field office immediately to apply for a REAL ID card. They can still use a valid California driver license or ID card for federal purposes until October 1, 2020. Customers can always use a passport, military ID, or TSA-approved identification documents in lieu of a federally approved driver license.
A REAL ID is not needed to:
- Drive
- Vote
- Apply for or receive federal benefits (Veterans Affairs, Social Security Administration)
- Enter a federal facility that does not require ID (post office)
- Visit a hospital or receive life-saving services
For more information on REAL ID, visit https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/realid.
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I just moved to a new state (U.S.) and went to get a new driver's license. They clipped my old one and gave me a piece of paper with some information on it. The new license hasn't come in the mail yet.
This is valid as my New State driver's license here. But, is it acceptable ID for flying?
I'm flying this weekend. I have a passport, so I can bring that, but it seems like a pain... if anyone knows for sure that would be amazing!
posted by jessamyn at 6:15 PM on April 21, 2011
posted by pupdog at 6:16 PM on April 21, 2011
posted by sammich at 6:22 PM on April 21, 2011
Flying ID must have a picture - take your passport
Is absolutely not true. My boyfriend and I both lost our IDs (long story) and simply brought EVERY SINGLE OTHER form of identification (picture-less library card, super super faded old employee ID, Rx bottles, SSN card, debit and credit cards) with our names on it. TSA rolled their eyes, gave us a pat-down, and sent us on our way. No biggie. Then again, we look fairly non-threatening, so that might have helped matters.
posted by slightly sissy tea hound at 6:23 PM on April 21, 2011
posted by picea at 6:26 PM on April 21, 2011
But I would just take your passport, personally, unless you're really worried about losing it.
(I've also flown without ID -- I lost my wallet, which had every single piece of ID I would've had. The TSA agents were very nice, though, and let me fly after answering a few questions. My bags weren't even searched. This was last summer though, and I know things might be a little more strict now.)
posted by darksong at 6:29 PM on April 21, 2011
posted by sninctown at 6:32 PM on April 21, 2011
They just took a tiny little slice off a corner. It hasn't expired yet.
(Bringing a passport is a pain because I have a minor tendency to lose things like that.)
posted by J. Wilson at 6:38 PM on April 21, 2011
The only exception that I'm aware of to the rule is if you have a filed police report stating that it was stolen. The clipped corner of the license would be a red flag to a TSA agent, since it's defacement of the license. They might suspect it's counterfeit, in which case, you probably have more problems than just not having an ID on you.
The choice is yours, ultimately: explain yourself four times to four different people, get touched in places you may not have been touched for some time, and endure the best that security theater has to offer... or take your passport and have zero problems at all.
posted by Golfhaus at 7:04 PM on April 21, 2011
posted by the young rope-rider at 7:05 PM on April 21, 2011
posted by wildcrdj at 7:15 PM on April 21, 2011
To be clear: its possible this could happen, I guess, especially since TSA may not be 100% consistent.
But when I did this, they did not seem concerned at all. One of them did ask me, I told him I had changed address and was waiting on new license, and he said OK. I got no additional screening, no problems. The other TSA agents didn't even ask.
posted by wildcrdj at 7:16 PM on April 21, 2011
posted by troublewithwolves at 9:11 PM on April 21, 2011
posted by vilandra at 8:07 AM on April 22, 2011
When you think about it this has to be an extremely common situation. Everybody has to renew their license regularly, everyone has to wait a couple weeks to get the new one, people have to fly when they have to fly, and not everybody has a passport. It's not like TSA is going to be like 'what in the hell is this business boy?!' Call the airport if you want to know for sure or take your passport if you want to be sure without doing any extra work.
posted by nanojath at 9:33 AM on April 22, 2011
posted by sararah at 9:33 AM on April 22, 2011
posted by J. Wilson at 5:40 AM on April 26, 2011
Drivers License Ireland
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