A federal law passed more than a decade ago could cause problems if you try to board a domestic commercial flight or enter certain federal buildings using your Pennsylvania-issued driver’s license or identification card in the future.
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U.S. Department of Homeland Security officials said that Pennsylvanians have until October 10, 2018 to use their current Pennsylvania-issued driver’s license or identification card to board a commercial flight or enter a secured federal building.
After that date, unless an additional extension is granted to Pennsylvania, those boarding flights or entering federal buildings will need to use another federally-accepted form of identification. That could be a passport, passport card, military ID or other Department of Homeland Security approved document.
PennDOT is working to develop a deployment plan that will make REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses and identification cards available to Pennsylvania residents by spring 2019.
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A REAL ID will not be required of Pennsylvania residents to drive, vote, apply for or receive federal benefits for which you are entitled, enter a federal facility that does not require an ID (i.e. a post office), access a hospital or receive life-saving services, or participate in law enforcement proceedings or investigations. according to PennDOT officials.
To purchase a REAL ID, customers will pay a one-time fee of $30, plus a renewal fee (current renewal fee is $30.50 for a four-year non-commercial driver’s license or a photo ID). The expiration date of the initial REAL ID product will include any time remaining on their existing non-REAL ID product, plus an additional four years, unless the customer is over 65 and has a two-year license. This expiration date structure means that the customer won’t “lose” time that they’ve already paid for. After the initial REAL ID product expires, the customer will pay no additional fee, beyond regular renewal fees, to renew a REAL ID product.
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To apply for a REAL ID (will be made available in 2019), you will need to present original versions or certified copies (if applicable) of the following documents, per federal regulations: proof of identity (original or certified copy of a birth certificate with a raised seal or valid U.S. passport), proof of social security number (social security card), proof of all legal name changes, passport or U.S. passport card, two proofs of current address.
Correction: This article has been update to correct a mistake to note REAL ID or other approved identification must be used starting after October 10, 2018.
