With just two months remaining until the May 7 federal REAL ID enforcement deadline, officials from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), the Philadelphia International Airport, the American Automobile Association (AAA), and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) are encouraging Pennsylvanians to prepare now to avoid disruptions when traveling. Beginning May 7, travelers will need to show a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or ID card, or another form of federally acceptable identification (such as a valid passport or military ID) to board domestic commercial flights and enter military bases and other federal facilities where identification is required.
Since REAL IDs became available in Pennsylvania back in 2019, more than 2.5 million residents have obtained one. “With federal REAL ID enforcement beginning on May 7, your travel planning should include making sure you have proper ID to fly,” said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll, emphasizing the necessity of having the right identification as summer approaches. Carroll stated, “We would like to prevent the chaos...if somebody shows up at the Philadelphia International Airport to fly to Salt Lake City or Los Angeles and they don’t have a REAL ID.”
To assist residents, PennDOT is hosting a series of REAL ID Days at driver’s license centers across the commonwealth. These events allow centers to exclusively process REAL IDs on designated Mondays, when they would normally be closed. Despite this, centers will continue to operate during their standard hours, enabling residents both to obtain REAL IDs and conduct other licensing tasks. “Our team takes pride in ensuring passengers have a great experience...One thing travelers can do to make sure their trip goes as smoothly as possible is to obtain a REAL ID compliant driver’s license,” remarked Atif Saeed, CEO of Philadelphia International Airport.
With less than two months to go until the deadline, AAA reminds Pennsylvanians to get their REAL ID or alternative ID such as passports sooner rather than later. “If you currently board domestic flights using your state-issued driver’s license as your form of identification, you’ll need to apply for a REAL ID or start using your passport to board flights,” said Jana Tidwell, Manager of Public and Government Affairs for AAA Mid-Atlantic. “It’s always more convenient to have it and not need it,” she added.
For those unsure about whether to get a REAL ID, PennDOT has created online resources to help inform residents. The process includes several required documents, such as proof of identity — which can be demonstrated with original or certified copies of birth certificates and valid passports — proof of social security number, and two proofs of current Pennsylvania address. If applicants have gone through legal name changes, they must also provide supporting documents such as marriage certificates or court orders.
Acquiring the REAL ID includes some costs as well. When individuals get their first REAL ID, they will pay a one-time fee of $30 alongside the applicable renewal fee. The current renewal fee stands at $39.50 for non-commercial driver’s licenses over four years and $42.50 for photo IDs. Upon issuing the initial REAL ID, customers typically receive it either by mail within 15 days, if they apply at standard Driver License Centers, or right over the counter if they visit any of PennDOT’s 15 REAL ID Centers.
Travelers need to be aware of the serious consequences of showing up unprepared at the airport. According to reports, currently only 25% of Pennsylvania’s driver’s licenses are REAL ID compliant, indicating many residents still need to secure their cards. TSA’s federal security director for Pennsylvania, Gerardo Spero, pointed out, “When you use your driver’s license...it’s proof you are who you say you are.”
REAL ID requirements were instituted as part of increased security measures following the September 11 attacks. The goal was to prevent individuals from using fake IDs to board planes. With the deadline fast approaching, Pennsylvanians are urged to proactively avoid any potential headaches during their travels.
The REAL ID law has faced delays over the years, with the latest postponement caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, as regulations are poised to move forward, individuals planning to travel should act swiftly to avoid being turned away after the May 7 deadline. “If you plan to travel domestically by plane, you have to secure either your REAL ID or passport,” reiterated Tidwell.
Now is the time for action. Make sure to prepare properly and gather necessary documents to apply for or upgrade your Pennsylvania driver’s license to meet REAL ID standards. PennDOT has made it easier for residents by opening select locations on traditionally closed days, ensuring their team can assist everyone who needs to attain this important identification.
For more information on the REAL ID application process and to find local PennDOT locations, visit the official website at pa.gov/agencies/dmv/driver-services. Don't wait until the last minute!