Central New Yorkers are running out of time to have proper identification if they’re traveling by air later this spring. Beginning May 7th all domestic flights require a REAL ID driver’s license for to board. Travelers can also use a passport, enhanced ID, military ID, or global entry card like Nexus. Transportation Security Administration spokesperson Lisa Farbstein said a regular driver’s license will no longer be valid.
"You might be delayed. You might miss your flight," Farbstein said. "It's all going to depend on how many people in front of you do not have that form of ID and that kind of a backup. So we're looking at creating a way to sort of phase in beginning with enforcement on May 7th.”
Farbstein said details of the phase-in are still being ironed out. Congress approved the REAL ID act in 2005 after the 9/11 terrorists entered aircraft with fake identification. The launch was expected in 2020, but was delayed by COVID. While many New Yorkers have had REAL ID’s for years, DMV Deputy Commissioner Lisa Koumjian said about half still haven’t upgraded their licenses, which include a small star or flag.
“Roughly 40% of New Yorkers who hold an ID from the DMV have a real ID," Koumjian said. "Already many more also have a passport, which is also acceptable for real ID purposes, so it's hard to say exactly how many are not compliant. But we do know there's still quite a few who need to get in and get it.”
Koumjian said original documents must show a full legal name, date of birth, social security number, and two proofs of address. She says the DMV has been staffing up in preparation for a flood of requests leading up to the May 7th deadline. She says they can process transactions in 15 to 30 minutes and travelers can receive their REAL ID within ten business days. More information is on their website.
