Latest news with #TWIC
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Yahoo
What you need to know about the Real ID
LOUISIANA () — The deadline is quickly approaching for Americans to get their . Nick Gremillion, the public information officer with the , spoke on what people need to know about the new form of identification if they are deciding to catch a flight. 'The Real ID It's a federal law. After the 911 Commission was over in 2005, the Real ID Act was passed by Congress, and it recommended the federal government set security standards for states to issue driver's licenses and identification cards,' he said. 'Starting on May 7, 2025, you will need a real ID or acceptable alternative to board commercial aircraft, access certain federal facilities, and enter nuclear power plants.' Despite years of delay the deadline will stand. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now 'TSA has said that they are sticking with the May 7 deadline, but they are going to allow a two-year phased enforcement of the Real ID until May 2027,' Gremillion said. 'Now, they have not clarified that. So, we are telling people to go ahead and get your real ID and be ready for May 7, 2025. You will need a real ID or acceptable alternative. Acceptable alternatives include a valid U.S. passport and a valid TWIC (Transportation Worker Identification Credential) card. A lot of people in Louisiana have TWIC cards, so they might already have that. They might choose not to get a real ID' The number of real IDs, which includes driver's licenses and real IDs. There's about 1,084,000, which is about 30% of Louisiana that have a Real I.D. compliant credential. 'A lot of people are confused about what they need to bring in. For most people, they will need to bring in either a valid U.S. passport or a birth certificate and then two pieces of mail. They can be utility bills. They could be paycheck stubs, W-2s,' Gremillion said. The Real ID is just for domestic commercial air travel. If you are entering another country, you will need a valid U.S. passport. It is not for international travel. If you use L.A. Wallet, once you get a Real ID, it will automatically update on L.A. Wallet. However, using L.A. Wallet depends on the airport you're at. Gremillion said at the New Orleans Airport they are accepting the L.A. Wallet. However, they encourage people to travel with their physical Real ID because some airports are accepting mobile driver's licenses, and some are not. The Lafayette OMV field office will be open on three Saturdays April 5, 12 and May 3 from 8 a.m.-1 p.m., to assist residents in becoming REAL ID-compliant. Other field offices open can be checked out here. Walk-in guests are welcome, but residents are encouraged to book an appointment at their local participating OMV field office. OMV said residents must visit a field office or Public Tag Agent location to obtain a REAL ID driver's license or ID card. OMV said residents who are not eligible for renewal can upgrade by applying for a duplicate license or ID card that is REAL ID-compliant. Their virtual expert is available to help Louisiana residents identify which documents they need. Port of Iberia expects minimal impact from President Trump's tariffs 'I feel violated': Florida hurricane victim's belongings auctioned off by storage facility Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission expands control area to curb Chronic Wasting Disease spread What you need to know about the Real ID Tom Cruise speaks on death of Val Kilmer: 'I can't tell you how much I admire his work' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Yahoo
Real ID deadline nears: What Kansas travelers should know
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — The countdown is on. Beginning May 7, travelers will be required to present a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or identification card to board domestic flights or enter certain federal and Department of Defense facilities, including McConnell Air Force Base. Without one, you'll need to show another form of acceptable identification, like a valid U.S. passport. Rubio says at least 300 foreign students' visas have been revoked The REAL ID Act, passed by Congress in 2005, established minimum security standards for state-issued IDs. Once in effect, federal agencies, including the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), will no longer accept IDs from non-compliant states for air travel and access to secure federal buildings. Patricia Mancha, TSA media spokesperson for Kansas, said it will be required 'at all of our checkpoints.' 'If you don't have a compliant ID when you get to the airport, you may not be allowed access to the checkpoint — which means you may not be allowed to fly,' she said. REAL ID-compliant cards typically feature a star in the upper portion of the card. The design varies by state — Kansas IDs may have a simple star, while California's may include a bear and star combination. 'Some of the enhanced IDs actually don't have a star but have a hologram image,' Mancha explained. 'Just check your ID, and if you're not sure, contact your state DMV.' To obtain a REAL ID, residents must provide documents that verify: Full legal name Date of birth Lawful status Social Security number Two documents proving current address Requirements can vary, so officials urge residents to visit and select their state to view exact documentation and DMV procedures. DMV offices across the country expect a spike in applications as the deadline nears — especially in larger metro areas like Wichita. 'Most DMV offices do not take walk-ins anymore,' Mancha noted. 'In some cases, there's a wait of days, weeks, or even months to get an appointment.' She recommends beginning the application process as soon as possible, particularly if you have travel plans on or after May 7. Alternative IDs, such as passports, Department of Defense IDs, tribal documents, or a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC), are also accepted at TSA checkpoints. However, relying on these without a REAL ID can cause delays. 'Every day, we see travelers who forgot their ID or had it stolen,' Mancha said. 'We work with them to try to verify their identity, but that's not a fast process. There are no guarantees we can get you through in time for your flight.' 'We recommend arriving at least four hours early if you don't have a valid ID — and even then, we can't guarantee you'll be able to fly.' For more information on REAL ID and TSA travel requirements, visit Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
