The REAL ID deadline is finally here, but what does that mean exactly?
A REAL ID is a federally approved form of identification that was recommended by the 9/11 Commission and signed into law in 2005. Even though the law has been in place for years, enforcement has been delayed multiple times until now.
May 7th was the day that Homeland Security will start to enforce the requiring travelers to have a REAL ID to fly. Reports say that 81 percent of travelers already have IDs that meet REAL ID standards.
If you find yourself in the 29% of people who still do not have a REAL ID, for now, you still will still be allowed to fly. Valid passports and tribal identification cards will still be accepted when the deadline takes effect.
If you do not have a REAL ID, you may face additional screening, so give yourself extra time at the airport and to be on the safe side, bring an acceptable backup like a passport in case of added screening. You will still be able to board your flight but the process may take a little longer.
Here how you know if you are REAL ID compliant. All permanent licenses issued in Georgia after 2012 are REAL ID Compliant. To verify you have a Real ID document, check the upper right-hand corner of your License/ID for either a black star or a gold star.
