You don’t have to be a frequent traveler to know that getting through security can be one of the most stressful and aggravating parts of the flying experience. Unfortunately, if you’re accustomed to handing over your driver’s license to board your domestic flight, you may be in for a surprise: The latest change from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will require passengers to have a Real ID to fly.
Of course, this could put some travelers in a bind if they can’t get their hands on the updated document in time for an upcoming trip. But before you cancel your tickets, there’s a chance you can probably still fly even if you can’t get a Real ID in time—albeit with one considerable catch.
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When will passengers need a Real ID to board a flight?
Your pre-flight checklist is about to get a little longer. On May 7, new regulations will take effect that require all travelers aged 18 and older to show a Real ID in order to travel domestically, according to the TSA. This means that regular state-issued driver’s licenses will no longer be sufficient to pass through security lines at the airport.
While it might feel like the May 7 deadline is suddenly upon us, it actually comes after more than two decades of delays after the initiative was first introduced, NPR reports. The TSA says that roughly four out of every five travelers already use one of the updated IDs or another accepted form of identification at checkpoints.
But what happens if you show up with the wrong ID? The agency warns that you “can expect to face delays, additional screening, and the possibility of not being allowed into the security checkpoint,” adding that this includes TSA PreCheck passengers.
What documents work as an alternative to a Real ID?
Even if you don’t have an updated Real ID for your upcoming flight, there’s a chance you can still use another document to get through security. Besides a state-issued enhanced ID (EID) that’s only offered by a handful of states, the TSA says that a valid U.S. passport or passport card will also work.
Those who are enrolled in trusted traveler programs such as Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, and FAST can also use their respective ID cards for passage, per the agency’s website. Other possible documents include permanent resident cards, border crossing cards, U.S. military IDs, and several other official forms of ID.
Still unsure if your license is Real ID compliant? The process can be slightly tricky as it varies from state to state. In many cases, Real IDs will have a star logo in the upper right-hand corner, while EIDs will have an American flag emblem. You can check for examples of what this looks like on the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) website.
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Can I still fly without a Real ID?
Anyone who doesn’t have backup documents should be prepared to go above and beyond to get on their flight. Because of enhanced questioning, information gathering, and additional screening, you’ll need to arrive at the airport at least three hours before your scheduled departure time as opposed to the typically advised two hours, CBS News reports.
Still, the TSA warns that some passengers may be denied entry after undergoing enhanced screening if their identity can’t be confirmed. And of course, any traveler who doesn’t cooperate with the process or cannot produce viable identification will also be turned away at security.
You should update your documents—but be prepared to wait.
In the meantime, the TSA is urging all travelers to update to Real IDs so they can avoid significant travel delays in the future. However, the May 7 deadline has created a mad dash to DMVs across the U.S., resulting in some frustrating delays.
“The lines are crazy. No one has the right documentation,” one Real ID applicant recently told Fox News in an interview. “I had to go downstairs to FedEx to get the rest of the stuff, which I wasn’t aware of…Now, I have to wait on line again.”
So far, the TSA says it will be bringing in extra staffing to handle any issues on and following the deadline. The agency again urges everyone to thoroughly check their documents well before their departure date to help avoid any unforeseen delays or issues.
Content shared from bestlifeonline.com.