Tick-tock, Pennsylvanians, the clock is ticking on REAL ID enforcement. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and travel industry partners are getting the word out: if you're planning to travel, better check your wallet for the right kind of ID. The Shapiro Administration is pushing for all travelers to get up to speed ahead of the enforcement deadline looming just over the horizon.
With a mere days left before the enforcement kicks in, PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll joined forces with officials from the Williamsport Airport and the American Automobile Association (AAA) to sound the alarm. Starting next Wednesday, May 7, a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or ID card – or a substitute federally-acceptable ID like a valid passport or military ID – will be a must-have to board a domestic flight or to swipe past security at military bases and other federal facilities. More than 2.8 million folks in Pennsylvania have already jumped on the REAL ID bandwagon since 2019 when the state began issuing them.
“People look forward to traveling with friends and family on vacation or business," Carroll pointed out, according to a recent announcement. He followed up with a clear warning, "But after next Wednesday, if you don't have a REAL ID or a passport, you won't be permitted to board a domestic flight." Carroll didn't mince words as he stressed the importance of being proactive, especially for those already holding summer flight reservations.
