ALEA reminds people to get STAR ID ahead of May 7 enforcement
DECATUR, Ala. (WHNT) — Friday morning, the ALEA Drivers License Examination Office inside the Morgan County Courthouse was packed. A lot of people in the waiting area told News 19 that they were there to get their STAR ID.
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) is urging people to get a STAR ID by the start of federal enforcement on May 7th. The STAR ID is Alabama's equivalent of the Real ID, which establishes minimum security standards for state-issued driver's licenses and identification cards.
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After May 7, if you do not have a STAR ID [or a REAL ID issued by another state], you will not be able to board a domestic flight or enter certain military installations, like Redstone Arsenal.
'Don't wait until the last minute' ALEA Senior Trooper Brandon Bailey told News 19.
He said if you have any upcoming flights, to get your STAR ID sooner rather than later because the TSA likely won't let you board with a paper ID.
'Alabama is one of those states when you come and get your license we do issue a paper copy,' the trooper said. 'Some airports may not take that paper copy.'
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Bailey said it can take up to 30 days to receive your hard copy of your license in the mail.
To obtain a STAR ID, you can go to any of the ALEA Drivers License Examination Offices across the state.
Bailey clarified that not every ALEA Drivers License Office is and Examination Office.
'It has to be an actual Drivers License Examiners Office where they give the test,' he said.
The Morgan County Courthouse and the Madison County Service Center are two examples of where you can go.
You can go to any of those locations for walk-in service, or make an appointment online ahead of time.
You need to bring several pieces of documentation with you. Click here to go to ALEA's documentation checklist.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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