Security Policy Alert: DHS Extends REAL ID Enforcement Deadline to 2023
April 27, 2021
DHS Secretary Mayorkas announced that the full enforcement date for REAL ID will be extended once again from October 1, 2021 to May 3, 2023, due to circumstances resulting from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. In a press release announcing the extension, DHS states that the pandemic has significantly impacted states'™ ability to issue REAL ID-compliant driver'™s licenses and identification cards, with many driver'™s licensing agencies still operating at limited capacity.
In March, AAAE President & CEO Todd Hauptli sent a letter to DHS Secretary Mayorkas requesting a further extension of the REAL ID enforcement deadline until there is a significantly higher saturation of REAL ID-compliant licenses and identification cards so that when fully implemented, the impact on travelers, the Transportation Security Administration, and aviation operations is negligible. The Aviation Security Advisory Committee, on which AAAE serves, also recommended on that the Department extend the REAL ID deadline.
According to DHS, all 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and four of five U.S. territories covered by the REAL ID Act and related regulations are now compliant with REAL ID security standards and are issuing REAL ID-compliant driver'™s licenses and identification cards. However, only 43 percent of all state-issued driver'™s licenses and identification cards are currently REAL ID-compliant.
With this extension, beginning May 3, 2023, every air traveler 18 years of age and older will need a REAL ID-compliant driver'™s license or identification card, state-issued enhanced driver'™s license, or another TSA-acceptable form of identification at airport security checkpoints for domestic air travel.
DHS will publish an interim final rule in the coming days to officially implement the REAL ID enforcement date change. DHS is also working on regulations to implement the provisions of the REAL ID Modernization Act which will allow the electronic submission of certain documents and streamline the process for REAL ID issuance.
As always, please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or need any further information.
DHS Secretary Mayorkas announced that the full enforcement date for REAL ID will be extended once again from October 1, 2021 to May 3, 2023, due to circumstances resulting from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. In a press release announcing the extension, DHS states that the pandemic has significantly impacted states'™ ability to issue REAL ID-compliant driver'™s licenses and identification cards, with many driver'™s licensing agencies still operating at limited capacity.
In March, AAAE President & CEO Todd Hauptli sent a letter to DHS Secretary Mayorkas requesting a further extension of the REAL ID enforcement deadline until there is a significantly higher saturation of REAL ID-compliant licenses and identification cards so that when fully implemented, the impact on travelers, the Transportation Security Administration, and aviation operations is negligible. The Aviation Security Advisory Committee, on which AAAE serves, also recommended on that the Department extend the REAL ID deadline.
According to DHS, all 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and four of five U.S. territories covered by the REAL ID Act and related regulations are now compliant with REAL ID security standards and are issuing REAL ID-compliant driver'™s licenses and identification cards. However, only 43 percent of all state-issued driver'™s licenses and identification cards are currently REAL ID-compliant.
With this extension, beginning May 3, 2023, every air traveler 18 years of age and older will need a REAL ID-compliant driver'™s license or identification card, state-issued enhanced driver'™s license, or another TSA-acceptable form of identification at airport security checkpoints for domestic air travel.
DHS will publish an interim final rule in the coming days to officially implement the REAL ID enforcement date change. DHS is also working on regulations to implement the provisions of the REAL ID Modernization Act which will allow the electronic submission of certain documents and streamline the process for REAL ID issuance.
As always, please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or need any further information.
