Virginians and Washingtonians who have been procrastinating on getting their driver's licenses updated might want to speed up that errand. Starting May 7, a standard state-issued ID card will no longer be accepted at airport security. According to a recent update from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), travelers will need a REAL ID-compliant license—or another federally accepted form of identification such as a passport—to board flights or enter federal facilities.
To enhance security, the REAL ID Act took effect, establishing stringent identification standards nationwide. Passengers without a REAL ID or acceptable alternative can expect potential hold-ups, more intense screening, and they could even be denied entrance through the checkpoint. Although 81 percent of travelers at TSA checkpoints already present an acceptable ID, the TSA intends to tighten compliance. "Per longstanding TSA policy, passengers arriving at the airport without an acceptable form of ID may face significant wait times at airports and could be denied access through the security checkpoint," Eric Beane, Acting Federal Security Director for Washington Dulles International Airport, mentioned in an announcement, detailed by the Transportation Security Administration news release.
REAL ID-compliant licenses are marked with a star in the upper right corner to indicate that they meet the federal security standards. Virginia residents who don't have the star on their driver’s license can choose to upgrade or continue using their standard license for non-federal purposes. For D.C. residents, the options are a REAL ID license or a limited-purpose license, although the latter will not be accepted for domestic flights or entry into secure federal areas.
To update to a REAL ID, Virginians must visit their local Department of Motor Vehicles with documents that confirm U.S. citizenship and Virginia residency. Similarly, D.C. residents can visit the D.C. Department of Motor Vehicles with the required paperwork. The list of necessary documentation is available on each respective Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) website.
