Latest news with #REALIDAct
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
With REAL ID, America Now Has National ID Cards and Internal Passports
I don't have a REAL ID–compliant driver's license and don't plan to get one. I figure if the federal government wants to implement internal passports in the U.S., which after 20 years of political and legal battles is now happening, we might as well be honest about it and use actual passports. So, from now on, I'll enter the secure areas of airports and federal buildings with my actual passport, which is good for travel both external and internal to the U.S. Or we could call REAL ID–compliant licenses, which must adhere to federal standards, "national ID cards." A little honesty is a good thing. "The United States is getting a national ID card," security expert Bruce Schneier wrote in 2005 when the REAL ID Act was passed. "The REAL ID Act … establishes uniform standards for state driver's licenses, effectively creating a national ID card. It's a bad idea, and is going to make us all less safe." The federal government denies that REAL ID means we all now have to carry national identification cards. Sort of. In 2007, after the REAL ID Act had been enacted but in the midst of state refusal to implement the law and popular opposition, then-Sen. Lamar Alexander (R–Tenn.) conceded the nature of the beast. "It may be that we need a national identification card," he commented on the floor of the Senate. "I've always been opposed to that. We live in a different era now." The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) still denies that standardized identification documents required by the U.S. government for domestic air travel and entrance to federal facilities are national ID. "REAL ID is a national set of standards, not a national identification card," DHS insists in a FAQ. "REAL ID does not create a federal database of driver license information. Each jurisdiction continues to issue its own unique license, maintains its own records, and controls who gets access to those records and under what circumstances." That's true-ish, but beside the point. The REAL ID Act set minimum standards for the information contained in an identification card, the conditions (such as citizenship or legal residency) qualifying a person to receive a card, and for the documentation that must be presented for an application. The law also prescribes that information be presented on identification cards in "a common machine-readable technology, with defined minimum data elements." That common technology is helpful since the law also requires that ID issuers "provide electronic access to all other States to information." Data is mostly shared through the State-to-State Verification Service, which links those different databases. Everything besides that is just cosmetic. That includes the names of issuing states, color schemes, and background imagery. They may make ID cards look different from issuing state to issuing state, but they're all interchangeable, with shareable data. And none of this is going to make us safer—which was the justification for the law. "All but one of the Sept. 11 hijackers carried government IDs that helped them board planes and remain in the country illegally," DHS then-Secretary Michael Chertoff complained in 2008 amidst debates over REAL ID and refusals by some states to comply. But most people with fake driver's licenses don't acquire them by walking up to a Department of Motor Vehicles clerk with a pleasant smile and a note from mom. Instead, they buy them from corrupt officials. "The manager of the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles office at Springfield Mall was charged yesterday with selling driver's licenses to illegal immigrants and others for up to $3,500 apiece," The Washington Post's Jerry Markon reported in 2005. That was "the second time in two years that a Northern Virginia DMV employee was accused of fraudulently selling licenses for cash." If corrupt officials are bypassing normal bureaucratic procedures to issue fraudulent identification documents, standardizing those documents across the nation won't fix the problem. But it could create the illusion of enhanced security. And it will create that illusion even as all that standardized data is placed in linked databases that actually enable identity fraud. "The massive amounts of personal information that would be stored in State databases that are to be shared electronically with other States, as well as unencrypted data on the card, could provide one-stop shopping for identity thieves," then-Sen. Daniel Akaka (D–Hawaii) warned during committee hearings on the REAL ID Act. "REAL ID may make us less secure by giving us a false sense of security." Yes, government officials argue that their agencies' database security is super-secure. They would never let hackers go browsing through their records for interesting information or for the makings of new identities. But these are the same officials who regularly hand vast quantities of sensitive records to foreign hackers (think of the Office of Personnel Management data breaches) or to aggrieved workers (as with some IRS records leaks). There may, in fact, be nothing less secure than a secure government database. Perhaps the worst part, though, is that national IDs and internal passports as embodied in REAL ID add to the expectation that we must prove our identities on demand to the satisfaction of government officials. REAL ID makes it ever easier to insist that we produce papers containing standardized information to engage in everyday activities. "A national identity system works against the interests of free people and a free society in several ways," Jim Harper wrote in 2018 for the Cato Institute. "A national ID system undercuts the important background privacy protection of practical obscurity: the difficulty of learning about people when records are not created or when data are difficult to access or interpret." The Electronic Frontier Foundation's Alexis Hancock emphasizes that 20 years of delays in implementing REAL ID have done the U.S. no harm, while the arrival of standardized national ID has real risks. Hancock helpfully points to a number of physical and electronic documents that can be used in the place of REAL ID–compliant identification to fly and to enter federal facilities. Passports are on that list, and that's what I'm sticking with. That it's now used as a standardized internal passport and national ID card is exactly the point I'm making every time I'm required to present it so I can go about my business. The post With REAL ID, America Now Has National ID Cards and Internal Passports appeared first on
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Yahoo
Record 45.1 million travelers expected for Memorial Day weekend
Americans will travel in record numbers this Memorial Day weekend, according to projections made by AAA. This year's domestic travel forecast of 45.1 million is an increase of 1.4 million travelers compared to last year and would set a new Memorial Day weekend record. The previous record was set in 2005 with 44 million people. 'Memorial Day is the unofficial kickoff to the summer travel season and the perfect time to plan a getaway with family and friends,' Jim Garrity, AAA East Central director of public affairs, said. 'Long holiday weekends are great for travel because many people have an extra day off and kids are off from school.' AAA projects 39.4 million people will travel by car over the weekend. That's an additional one million travelers compared to last year. Driving is the preferred mode of transportation during holiday travel, with 87% of Memorial Day travelers choosing to take road trips. This year, drivers have the benefit of cheaper gas prices. Last Memorial Day, Valley gas prices averaged $3.73. This week the average is $3.19. Airports are bracing for another bustling holiday weekend. AAA projects 3.61 million air passengers, a nearly 2% increase over last year when 3.55 million travelers took to the skies. While this Memorial Day weekend isn't expected to set an air travel record — which was set back in 2005 with 3.64 million travelers — this year's numbers are projected to surpass pre-pandemic levels by 12%. AAA booking data indicates that most flights are to popular destinations like Chicago, New York, Orlando, Denver and Seattle. Meanwhile, domestic travel by air, since May 7, is now affected by the REAL ID Act, which says a REAL ID or another acceptable form of identification is required to board commercial flights. This holiday weekend could see travel delays as people navigate the new ID requirements. Not traveling by car or plane? AAA also projects 2 million people will travel by train, bus or cruise this weekend, an 8.5% increase over last year. This category now surpasses pre-pandemic numbers from 2018 and 2019 but doesn't reach the record numbers of the early 2000s, when more people chose trains and buses after 9/11, AAA officials said.
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Yahoo
New Mandatory IDs: 4 Documents You Need To Get a Real ID and What It Costs
The REAL ID Act has been 20 years in the making. Introduced for the first time in 2005, the law was designed to 'establish minimum security standards for license issuance and production,' according to On May 7, 2025, the TSA and federal government began enforcing a need for state-issued REAL IDs to board a domestic flight or enter certain federal facilities. Travelers still need a passport for international flights, to cross borders by land or to embark on certain cruise ships that visit international destinations. Read Next: Check Out: If you haven't already gotten your REAL ID, it's not too late. You can make an appointment at your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to get one now. However, you may be able to save the hassle of long DMV lines, and some administrative costs, by waiting until your license is up for renewal. Here's what to know about REAL IDs, including if you need one immediately, how to get one and how much this new travel essential costs. 'If your ID is up for renewal within the next six months and you have no plans to travel by plane or already have an alternate form of ID, it may be worth waiting until your renewal,' advised Katy Nastro, spokesperson and travel expert at Other acceptable forms of ID, according to AAA, include: Valid passport or passport card DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST) U.S. military ID Permanent resident card See More: The cost of a REAL ID varies by state. Some states, like Alabama, Oregon and Pennsylvania, charge a fee of $30 or more on top of what you'd normally pay for a license renewal. In some states, you'll only pay the standard license renewal fee. 'I know in New York, for example, they are automatically providing REAL IDs for renewal, but this isn't the case for all states,' Nastro said. 'At a certain point, states may require any driver's license renewal to automatically be a compliant REAL ID.' If you live in a state with an added charge for a REAL ID and plan to fly before your license is up for renewal, another alternative is to get a passport. 'You would be out-of-pocket at least $130 for a passport,' said Nastro. 'So that's the more expensive route to go.' Like the cost of a REAL ID, the documents you'll need to present at the DMV to apply for a REAL ID vary by state. In general, according to you'll need: A document showing your full legal name and date of birth (such as a birth certificate or marriage certificate) Two proofs of address (such as a utility bill, mortgage statement, lease paperwork, bank or credit card statement or pay stub) Proof of your Social Security number If you don't have your Social Security card, you can use a W-2 form, 1099 or a pay stub with your name and Social Security number on it as proof. Editor's note: The Department of Motor Vehicles, or DMV, may be called something different where you live depending on your state. Make sure to check your state rules regarding REAL IDs before heading to a DMV location, as every state has different requirements and some prefer you to fill out an application online or make an appointment to go in person. More From GOBankingRates 5 Luxury Cars That Will Have Massive Price Drops in Spring 2025 8 Items To Stock Up on Now in Case of Tariff-Induced Product Shortages These Cars May Seem Expensive, but They Rarely Need Repairs 6 Big Shakeups Coming to Social Security in 2025 Sources TSA, 'Real ID' Katy Nastro, This article originally appeared on New Mandatory IDs: 4 Documents You Need To Get a Real ID and What It Costs
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Another REAL ID event scheduled for today in Meadville
With the federal REAL ID Act now in effect, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is continuing to offer its REAL ID Days at driver license centers today, including one in Meadville from 8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Federal REAL ID regulations require that PennDOT must verify the below documents to issue a REAL ID: • Proof of identity. Examples include an original or certified copy of a birth certificate filed with the State Office of Vital Records/Statistics with a raised/embossed seal, or a valid, unexpired U.S. Passport. • Proof of Social Security number (proof must display currently legal name and full nine digits of the Social Security number). Examples include a Social Security card, a W-2 form, a SSA-1099 form, a non-SSA-1099 form or a pay stub. • Two proofs of current, physical state address. Examples include a current, unexpired PA driver's license or identification card, vehicle registration, or a utility bill with the same name and address. • Proof of all legal name changes (if current legal name is different than what is reflected on proof of identity document). Examples include certified marriage certificate(s) issued by the County Court for each marriage, court order(s) approving a change in legal name, or adoption decree issued by your county's family court. If current name is the same as what is reflected on the proof of identity document (usually birth certificate or passport), proof of legal name change does not need to be shown. After customers present the proper documentation and pay the applicable fee, they may obtain a REAL ID-compliant product by: • Receiving the product in the mail within 15 days if application was made at a Driver License Center. • Receiving the product over the counter, if application was made at one of PennDOT's 15 REAL ID compliant Driver License Centers. Customers who received their first Pennsylvania driver's license, learner's permit or photo ID card after Sept. 1, 2003, may already have their REAL ID documentation on file with PennDOT. These customers can apply for REAL ID pre-verification and order their REAL ID online.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Yahoo
REAL ID takes off smoothly
If you aren't sure whether your driver's license or state ID has a gold star in a circle, you might want to double-check your wallet before heading to the airport. Wednesday was the first day that all travelers flying domestically—including inter island—are required to show a REAL ID-compliant credential or another federally accepted form of identification, like a passport or military ID, to get through airport security. The Transportation Security Administration officially began enforcing the REAL ID Act, a federal law passed in 2005 to tighten ID standards after the 9 /11 attacks. In Hawaii, most travelers are already set. According to state Department of Transportation Director Ed Sniffen, about 96 % of all driver's licenses and state IDs issued here are compliant. 'The great thing is, with REAL ID starting up today, the requirements, TSA has been drilling for the past week or so to ensure that if they run into different scenarios, they're ready for the situations, ' he said at a press conference Wednesday. Sniffen said by midday, 307 travelers had arrived at Hawaii airports without REAL ID-compliant IDs. Of those, only three were denied boarding—and not because of the REAL ID rule. 'The three that were denied access weren't because their IDs were not REAL ID compliant. They came in with no ID at all, ' he said. The rest—304 people—were routed to secondary screening, a backup process that TSA has been rehearsing ahead of the enforcement deadline. Most were cleared in five to 10 minutes. While the rollout appeared largely seamless, Sniffen warned travelers to arrive early if they're unsure about their ID status or traveling with guests who may not be compliant. He also noted that most of the issues could come from visitors from other states, not local residents. Lorie Dankers, a TSA spokesperson, said travelers without compliant IDs will be allowed to fly after undergoing screening, but they'll be given a flyer explaining the new requirements and may be pulled aside. 'You're going to receive a flyer and you may receive additional screening. It's an unpredictable screening measure that passengers might be subjected to, but you are going to be allowed to fly, ' she said. Valid alternatives to a REAL ID include U.S. passports, military IDs—including those issued to dependents—Global Entry cards and foreign government-issued passports. Dankers encouraged travelers to review TSA's ID list in advance. At Daniel K. Inouye International Airport on Wednesday, many travelers reported no issues. Ivan Kuancer, who was traveling from Hilo to Honolulu to visit family, said he received his REAL ID when he renewed his license a couple of years ago. He described his travel experience as smooth and said he didn't notice anyone around him having trouble at security. Kuancer supports the initiative for safety reasons, though he acknowledged it could cause some delays. Still, he said he wasn't too worried. Others traveling through Honolulu had mixed feelings. Jennifer, a military traveler from Orange County, Calif., said she opted not to get a REAL ID, relying instead on her military ID when passing through airports. 'I chose not to get it … I am in the military, so I chose to maintain just my military identification as a process of going in and out of the airports. For me, it was like a hassle to get the REAL ID, ' she said. She and her friend Samantha Perez were connecting in Honolulu on their way to Kona. While Perez also described her own travel as smooth—she carries a passport—she expressed concern after witnessing an older woman in a wheelchair being pulled aside at security. 'There should be an exception, ' Perez said. 'She was in a wheelchair. Anybody who may have a disability has to go all the way to the DMV. You don't always have a ride, you don't always have the resources, the financial ability. It looks like it's hard enough on them as it is. It's not great.' Perez said she had never flown domestically using her passport until this trip and worried about misplacing it. 'I have a passport, but not everybody's as fortunate to be able to afford a passport, ' she said. 'Getting a new license in California can also be expensive and unaffordable for some people.' The federal law has been in the works for nearly 20 years, with multiple deadline extensions. Hawaii began issuing REAL ID-compliant licenses in 2018. With enforcement now underway, both federal and state officials say they'll continue educating the public, but travelers should expect the policy to remain in effect going forward. Sniffen said Hawaii's DMV offices have done well preparing the public in advance. With only about 30, 000 out of a million licensed drivers statewide still needing a REAL ID, he doesn't expect long lines at licensing centers—at least, not yet. Travelers are advised to check their IDs for the star in a circle indicating REAL ID compliance and to plan accordingly to ensure a smooth travel experience. ACCEPTABLE FORMS OF IDENTIFICATION Adult passengers 18 and older must show valid identification at the airport checkpoint in order to travel.—REAL ID-compliant driver's licenses or other state photo identity cards issued by Department of Motor Vehicles (or equivalent ). If you are not sure if your ID complies with REAL ID, check with your state department of motor vehicles. A temporary driver's license is not an acceptable form of identification.—State-issued Enhanced Driver's License (EDL ) or Enhanced ID (EID )—U.S. passport—U.S. passport card—DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST )—U.S. Department of Defense ID, including IDs issued to dependents—Permanent resident card—Border crossing card—An acceptable photo ID issued by a federally recognized Tribal Nation /Indian Tribe, including Enhanced Tribal Cards (ETCs )—HSPD-12 PIV card—Foreign government-issued passport—Canadian provincial driver's license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card—Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC )—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766 )—U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential—Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC )
