A State Driver’s License Won’t Be Accepted For Domestic Travel

Last year, we published an article highlighting places accessible to those who don’t own a passport. However, starting Jan 22, 2018 that will change for residents of some states. Beginning October 1, 2020, every traveler will need a REAL ID-compliant license or state ID or another acceptable form of identi cation to y within the U.S.

If you live in New York, Montana, Maine, Missouri, Washington, Louisiana, Minnesota, or New Hampshire, you will no longer be able to use your driver’s licenses as ID for domestic flights. According to the security standards outlined in the Real ID Act, these states are noncompliant because they fail to require proof of citizenship or residency to get a license.

As of January 2017, the confirmed date for this new rule to take into effect is January 22,2018 (exceptions stated below). The government first announced this change in 2015 and has been giving people enough time to transition. So what would be considered acceptable forms of ID now? Resident cards, Passports, passport cards, and U.S. military ID. Moreover, cards such as Enhanced Drivers Licenses, Global Entry and NEXUS, will also be accepted.

Update via DHS website: As of now New York, Montana, Maine, Missouri, Washington, Louisiana, Minnesota, or New Hampshire, have obtained extensions which will exclude them from the Jan 22,2018 date. So if you have a state I.D or drivers license from any of those 3 states you will be able to continue using them to fly in the U.S when 2018 comes but must be compliant by October 2020.

What are your thoughts? Do you like these new rules? Do you think you won’t be affected by them?