Real ID Enforcement Deadline Extended To October 1

Friday, March 19, 2021 at 9:04 AM

Beginning October 1, all air travelers ages 18 and up will need a REAL ID-compliant driver's license to fly within the U.S.

Candace McGraw, CEO of Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport applying for her REAL ID at the new Regional Driver Licensing Office in Burlington. Photo provided.

(Undated) – It won’t be long until all air travelers 18 years of age and older will need a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license to fly within the U.S.

Due to COVID-19, the Department of Homeland Security is extending the REAL ID enforcement deadline to October 1, 2021.

REAL ID-compliant cards are marked with a star at the top of the card. If you are not sure whether you have a REAL ID, contact your state driver’s license agency on how to obtain one.

The REAL ID Act was passed by Congress in 2005 establishing minimum security standards for state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards and prohibit federal agencies, like TSA, from accepting licenses and ID cards from states that do not meet the standards, for official purposes, such as getting through the airport security checkpoint to board a plane.

For more information, visit www.tsa.gov.