Non-Compliant States

From Travel and Leisure:
"If You’re From One of These Four States, You’ll Likely Need a Passport for a Domestic Flight"

Driver’s licenses from New York, Louisiana, Minnesota, New Hampshire, and the American Samoa will no longer be enough to get on a domestic commercial flight.  Starting in 2016, travelers from four U.S. states will not be able to use their driver’s licenses as ID to board domestic flights—a pretty major development considering an estimated 38 percent of Americans don’t have passports. The standard licenses from New York, Louisiana, Minnesota, New Hampshire, and American Samoa are considered “noncompliant” with the security standards outlined in the Real ID Act, which was enacted back in 2005 but is being implemented in stages. Why are these specific licenses deemed sub-par? In these five places, getting a license doesn't require proof of citizenship or residency. The new rules will go into effect sometime in 2016 (the exact date has not been announced), and there will be a three-month forgiveness period, during which people with these licenses will be warned that their IDs are no longer valid for flights. Here’s the breakdown: if you're from one of these states, “acceptable” IDs include passports and passport cards, as well as permanent resident cards, U.S. military ID, and DHS trusted traveler cards such a Global Entry and NEXUS. The TSA will also accept Enhanced Driver’s Licenses, the kind that are currently used to replace passports for travel to and from  Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean. Of the noncompliant states, only New York and Minnesota issue enhanced licenses. For families from these states, at least children under 18 years old do not need ID when traveling with a companion.

 

 

^  On the map above the states in dark green are Real ID compliant. The states in lighter green have an approved extension from the Federal Government. The other states are not Real ID compliant. I know several people in two of the non-compliant states and they are wondering how their state government will handle this as well as how the Federal Government will especially because New York is one of the most populated states in the country and also a major tourist and business destination. I don't have to worry about anything as I already have a Passport Book, a Passport Card and a Canadian Passport. It would be nice if my state had enhanced licenses as a cheaper alternative. I am curious to see how this all pans out. ^

 

 

http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/drivers-licenses-new-york-domestic-flight-real-id