The Department of Homeland Security’s REAL ID deadline has officially taken effect, but officials say travelers flying domestically without one will still have some leeway — for now.
Air passengers who don't have a REAL ID will need a passport or other form of "acceptable identification" to fly domestically. If they don't have either, they'll still be allowed to fly, but should expect to face additional identity checks, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said Tuesday.
Speaking with NY1’s Shannan Ferry Wednesday, New York state Department of Motor Vehicles executive deputy commissioner Christian Jackstadt answered some questions about the rollout.
What should travelers who don’t have a REAL ID or passport expect at airports?
Jackstadt advised passengers without either form of ID to get to the airport “a little earlier” than usual.
“Be prepared to have a more in-depth conversation with TSA officers, to be able to prove beyond having a REAL ID, your identity, but other than that, we are hearing that even that process is going fairly smoothly,” he said.
“Obviously our offices, our DMV offices are extremely busy — they have been for several months — but controllable. So, so far, so good,” he added. “We’re handling it well in our offices, getting people in and out who do need a REAL ID, and who don’t have a passport or other form [of identification] that’s acceptable by the TSA, but I think things are going very well so far.”
At what point will a REAL ID or passport be required to fly?
Prior to Tuesday, officials had said travelers would need a REAL ID to board a domestic flight, unless they had a valid passport or other form of “acceptable identification.”
Asked when or if that rule would take effect, Jackstadt deferred to the TSA.
“We haven’t gotten a definitive date yet, but we are continuing to prepare at [the] DMV accordingly, and make sure that we’re ready when that does happen,” he said.
What is the difference between a REAL ID and an Enhanced ID?
Both the REAL ID and the Enhanced ID qualify as “REAL ID” documents, Jackstadt said.
“The real ID has the star up in the top right-hand corner. The enhanced document has a United States flag in the right-hand corner. Both are acceptable,” he said.
Unlike the REAL ID, the Enhanced ID allows its holder to return to the U.S. by land or sea from Canada, Mexico and some countries in the Caribbean, according to the DMV.
“It gives them a little extra use of that document,” Jackstadt said. “But both are acceptable, and we are issuing both in our offices.”
What’s the easiest way to obtain a REAL ID — and do I need one right away?
Jackstadt said the New York state DMV is encouraging residents with no upcoming travel plans to avoid rushing to get a REAL ID.
“First and foremost, if you are not traveling and have no imminent plans of travel, we are encouraging people to wait. There’s no need to rush in for a REAL ID. Your other standard licenses are still going to work for all the other purposes,” he said. “So if you do not have immediate travel needs or immediate needs for a REAL ID, be patient. Take your time. We are not going to stop issuing these documents in our offices, so take your time, and maybe in the summer will be a better, slower time for you to come in.”
Those who do wish to secure a REAL ID now are encouraged to visit the DMV’s website, make an appointment and research which documents they need to bring.
“Our goal is to make you only come in once, right, and how we do that is to make sure you’re prepared, and we do point to our document guide on DMV.ny.gov to get customers ready to come into the DMV, to make sure they have their birth certificates and passports, their license, their other forms of documents that they need to make their trip to the DMV successful and easy,” he said.
“Our goal is to get you in and out in 30 minutes, and I’m happy to say that we’ve been largely meeting that goal,” he added.