Since September 11, 2001, the United States has tightened laws surrounding air travel. One such law is the Real ID Act, which went into effect in the country on May 7. Under this legislation, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) requires travelers to validate their identity by presenting one of the documents approved by the regulation. Failure to do so could result in denial of entry onto planes, even if they have a ticket. This establishes common standards across all states and includes driver’s licenses and U.S. identification cards or passports.
REAL ID: nuclear power plants, government offices, and airports began requiring the presentation of these new licenses
This is a significant change, as those who are not informed could be left stranded for not having properly validated their identification documents. Therefore, REAL ID is a new security standard for issuing identification such as driver’s licenses and identification cards. With its implementation, nuclear power plants, government offices, and airports began requiring the presentation of these new licenses or credentials as a mandatory requirement for entry. These are not new identification cards, but rather updated versions of other cards, which will include details demonstrating their legal validity.
This new legislation applies to all states, the District of Columbia, and the five U.S. territories
Therefore, the TSA will require valid identification from all persons over 18 years of age, who can present a REAL ID or any of the approved alternatives. It is also important to note that only U.S. citizens or foreigners who can prove their legal presence in the United States can obtain a REAL ID. This new legislation, which is already in place, applies to all states, the District of Columbia, and the five U.S. territories. If a citizen does not have acceptable identification, authorities will initiate an alternative verification process, requesting personal information from the traveler to verify their identity. Therefore, it is a process that it is best to keep up to date.
“You will not be permitted to enter the security checkpoint if you choose not to provide acceptable identification”
Authorities make clear the importance of this new requirement, as it is directly related to national security. “You will not be permitted to enter the security checkpoint if you choose not to provide acceptable identification, refuse to cooperate with the identity verification process, or your identity cannot be confirmed,” they state.
Real ID driver’s license, Canadian provincial driver’s license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card, Passport issued by a foreign government…
Currently, these are the identifications that allow you to fly within the United States: Real ID driver’s license; State-issued Enhanced Driver’s License; Passport issued by a foreign government; U.S. passport; DHS Trusted Traveler Card; Canadian provincial driver’s license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card; U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766). For the complete list, visit the official TSA and government websites.
If the card doesn’t have one of the five legally recognized marks at the top, it won’t be accepted as proof of identity
Finally, it’s important for citizens to know all the details about the new travel restrictions. For example, REAL ID cards cannot be used to cross the border into Canada or Mexico, or for international travel. Proper card issuance is essential, as these authorities will ensure that the cards have one of the five legally recognized marks at the top. If the card doesn’t have this mark, it won’t be accepted as proof of identity, and you won’t be able to board a commercial flight.
