Thedailymiaminews– For almost 10 years, the federal government has threatened to bar us from flying unless we have a valid ID or passport.
With a deadline of May 7 for enforcement, it looks like the federal government is finally taking this seriously.
A rule to maintain the deadline but postpone full enforcement until May 7, 2027, has already been suggested by the Transportation Security Administration.
However, Arizona Department of Transportation’s Bill Lamoreaux stated that it is advisable to take action as soon as possible. If nothing else, it prevents a potential rush when all of this is actually put into effect, which may be this May or in two years.
Almost 7.6 million identification cards have been issued by the state. In addition to driver’s licenses, this also includes non-operator IDs for people who don’t drive, such as minors.
Because it can potentially include Arizonans who have relocated outside of the state, the figure might be slightly overstated.
Only 2.35 million of them, according to Lamoreaux, are Real ID compatible, which means that the holders have visited the Motor Vehicle Division and presented the required documentation to obtain the document that the TSA and other federal agencies would accept.
Approximately 5.2 million people are left without such a document.
Not everyone requires a Real ID, and not simply because you won’t be entering a federal building or traveling on a commercial airplane. A legitimate passport is also acceptable.
However, that requires carrying an additional document, which is superfluous for domestic flights.
Those under the age of eighteen are exempt from the document mandate.
Even Arizonans who already possess a driver’s license must meet with MVD staff in person and provide multiple pieces of documentation.
The most crucial is identification verification, which includes a U.S. passport, a passport card, or an original or verified birth certificate.
Candidates must submit two documents with your name on them attesting to your residency in Arizona. Utility bills, bank statements, insurance policies, and even a vehicle registration card issued by the MVD are examples of available options.
Even junk mail containing your name and address will do, according to Lamoreaux.
However, the names must always match. Nicknames don’t. Additionally, a copy of any documents pertaining to name changes resulting from marriage or divorce is required.
Lastly, a social security number is required for all applicants, even if the card is not physically presented.
Following all of that, you receive a new license with a star in the top right corner, indicating to TSA and other authorities that this is an improved identification document. Expect to pay an additional $25 for the upgraded license.
The fact that these new licenses are only valid for eight years is another drawback.
In contrast, a regular Arizona license is valid until the age of sixty-five, however a new photo must be taken every twelve years. A license for people over 65 is good for five years, and each time it is renewed, a fresh eyesight exam is needed.
Additionally, a face-to-face contact is required for a Real ID.
Although you can schedule an appointment with MVD, Lamoreaux notes that this does not guarantee that you will be seen at the precise time you have requested. According to him, it enables people who arrive on time to bypass the line of people who are prepared to wait but did not have an appointment.
Following the 2001 hijackings of two World Trade Center buildings, the Pentagon, and a fourth airliner that was grounded by passengers before it could strike the White House, Congress authorized the requirement in 2005.
Enforcement was expected to take place in 2010.
However, in 2008, Arizona lawmakers initially responded by passing a law prohibiting participation due to concerns that the new licenses and the necessary linked databases would effectively create a national ID card.
The denial was signed by then-Governor Janet Napolitano. However, she stated that the lack of funding from the federal government to cover the expenses was more of a concern to her than privacy.
Legislators didn’t approve the enhanced licenses until 2015, when the Department of Homeland Security threatened to begin transferring Arizonans with ordinary state licenses to airports by January 2016.
However, that enforcement in 2016 never happened. Additionally, the deadline continued to be postponed; the most recent one was due to COVID, and it is currently May 7.
A proposed rule to “provide federal agencies with necessary flexibility” in enforcement was released by the TSA earlier this year in a news release.
The agency stated, “The proposed rule does not extend the Real ID deadline,” thus May 7th is still the deadline.
The agency warned that travelers without Real ID or other valid identification after that date “may experience delays at airport security checkpoints,” adding that it would instead enable TSA to examine a phased enforcement strategy to Real ID adoption.