After being in conversations for years now, the REAL ID now has a required deadline set in Pennsylvania. The state has officially declared that REAL IDs will be required for travel beginning May 7th. The announcement came earlier this month, giving Pennsylvania residents around two months to get their proper identification ready. There are some alternatives to the REAL ID, but for certain activities, a REAL ID will be required over a regular ID card. These instances are flying on a domestic, commercial flight, entering a military base, or entering a federal facility. If you do not have a REAL ID, you will need to show your passport at these places starting May 7.
The REAL ID requirement faced several delays.
REAL IDs have been implemented in several states around the country in the last several years. Many states have made them formal requirements already, while many others, like Pennsylvania, have still struggled to set a requirement deadline. The deadline of May 7 gives people some time that is sufficient in the eyes of the state government leaders. They advise that as long as people do not wait until the last second, they will comfortably obtain the necessary ID. However, unless a person plans to fly, enter a military base, or enter a federal facility on May 7, they are still fine with their regular ID. Still, leaders suggest getting the REAL ID sooner rather than later to avoid any possible issues due to delays.
A REAL ID is a federally accepted ID form.
The whole point behind the REAL ID is to simplify things such as boarding flights. The ID form is federally accepted, making it an acceptable ID form across the board. That is why, as of right now, if you were to not have a REAL ID by the deadline, you would need to show your passport. However, that can clog up lines, which is why REAL ID is preferred. In order to board international flights, a passport is still necessary. But, whenever you fly domestically, enter federal buildings, or enter military bases, you will need an additional form of identification in addition to your passport. When you have your REAL ID, that is all that is required to be shown.
Since the deadline announcement was made, many have lined up to get the ID.
Throughout Pennsylvania, there have been long lines in the driver’s license centers. In New Kensington’s center, there was a line with hundreds of people to get their REAL ID. At one point, the line was timed to be over an hour wait for people to just get inside the building. From there, there was an additional wait time to be assisted. Local news affiliates interviewed some people waiting in line and all agreed they were there to get their REAL IDs to make travel easier.
The press officer for the PennDOT’s Driver and Vehicle Services, Aimee Inama, confirmed that REAL IDs will still be processed after May 7. Unless you have upcoming travel and do not have a passport or do not want a passport, she shared that you do not need to panic and rush to get the REAL ID, especially with long lines.
