Are You Ready for REAL ID?

It has been 15 years since the U.S. Congress passed the REAL ID Act, which established federal security standards for state-issued driver’s licenses and ID cards. Now, it’s finally going into action. Beginning Oct. 1, all air travelers will need a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or identification card, enhanced driver’s license, valid passport, or U.S. military ID to fly domestically. Unfortunately, if you don’t have one of these documents, you will not be permitted to enter an airport TSA checkpoint and some federal buildings.

If you haven’t applied for a compliant driver’s license yet, you’re not alone. Currently, fewer than 10 percent of Minnesotans have obtained a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or identification card. REAL ID has only been available in Minnesota since 2018, so the Minnesota Department of Public Safety is working to increase awareness and notify Minnesotans of the upcoming deadline. If you’re not sure if you have a REAL ID, look to see if you have a gold star on the upper right corner of your Minnesota driver’s license.

I applied for a REAL ID last summer and will advise you that the process can be more complicated and time-consuming than renewing a regular driver’s license. To apply, you must provide one document proving your identity, one document proving your Social Security number and two different documents showing your current residency in Minnesota. This may seem straightforward; however, I have seen applicants get turned away at our License Services Center due to having the wrong type of documents. Additionally, your name must match on all of your documents. If it doesn’t, you will need to bring a marriage certificate, divorce decree or court order to show your name change.

If you want to get a REAL ID before the Oct. 1 deadline, I encourage you to start the process now as it may take up to eight weeks to receive a new REAL ID card. For more information about REAL ID, enhanced ID, the application process and a list of required documents, check out AAA.com/REALID or visit our License ServicesCenter at our AAA headquarters in St. Louis Park.

Safe travels!

Wendy A. Weigel
President & CEO, AAA Minneapolis