REAL ID Act is being enforced starting May 7

Real ID licenses are a money-grab — more expensive than a regular driver’s license plus you have to go to the DMV to get it. I can easily use my passport. 👍🏻

Can you explain Real-Id to us Canadians?
I’m not understanding what it is or why you would need it if you already have ID??
Is it extra, or?
Thanks.

I don’t understand a lot of things these days…….(rolling eyes).

Can you explain Real-Id to us Canadians?

It only applies to the resident and citizens of the USA.

FYI:

https://www.dhs.gov/real-id/real-id-faqs

Real ID is an enhanced ID form that requires appllicants to supply extra information about themselves.

For non-Americans, your passport is all you need at TSA security in the US.

I think having the name on the ticket and the id matching has always been the case. It’s a factor in my using my U.S. passport rather than my German one. I’m accustomed to purchasing plane tickets in my married name, which is the name on my U.S. passport, while my birth name is on my German passport. Americans, with passports, have the same freedom as non Americans to only need that singular piece of id, don’t they?

Yes, a passport complies with REAL ID requirements. I do want to make one clarification regarding REAL ID vs an enhanced ID. There was an earlier thread about whether a "REAL ID" allows a US citizen to cross the US-Canadian land and sea borders without a passport. REAL ID does not. But an Enhanced ID does. An Enhanced ID also is REAL ID compliant. It's sort of like all certified mail is registered but not all registered mail is certified.

Yes. State-issued Enhanced Driver's Licenses and identification cards (EDL/EID) are designated as acceptable border-crossing documents by DHS under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative and are an acceptable alternative to a REAL ID for boarding a commercial aircraft, accessing federal facilities, and entering nuclear power plants. Currently there are only 5 states that issue EDL/EIDs, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont, and Washington. EDL/EIDs can be identified by having an image of the U.S. flag and the word Enhanced at the top of the card.
https://www.dhs.gov/real-id/real-id-faqs

My passport works just fine.

We've been discussing REAL ID here on the forum for more than 8 years, because it kept being delayed.

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/transportation/possible-real-id-act-concerns-for-travellers

I posted this one this time because this time it seems like they really mean it.

There are other concerns beside boarding commercial aircraft or visiting prisoners --

do you want your state of residence to have more personal or even biometric data about you in its records?

The last time California announced that all IDs would henceforth be REAL IDs I intentionally renewed my CDL for the 'old' version so that I could put off getting a REAL ID for as long as possible. As comments above, I'd rather use my passport when needed.

I fully acknowledge how silly it is to worry about sharing your id data with more agencies than is strictly necessary -- it's not as though some cartoonish supervillain or overmedicated con man is ever going to try to share or take advantage of that data in ways that are not in my best interest, after all.

I am considering putting my Global Entry card in my every-day-carry wallet since it serves as an enhanced ID, I think, and the chance of being snatched off the street by unidentified actors claiming state authority seems more plausible recently. And isn't my face red when it turns out that the streets involved are not in Germany at all? I might owe Germany a beer in apology.

It's sort of like all certified mail is registered but not all registered mail is certified.

Actually, it’s the other way ‘round. Certified U.S. Mail is tracked, but Registered Mail provides maximum security for the mailpiece, in addition to tracking. Registered Mail is kept in locked spaces in sorting facilities, and personnel delivering it carry weapons.

As for travel, foreign or domestic, unless I’m driving a car, a Passport all I carry.

do you want your state of residence to have more personal or even biometric data about you in its records?

You do know that state law enforcement can access federal records? Even if you have given nothing to the state, by having a passport and Global Entry, you have shared it with the government.

do you want your state of residence to have more personal or even biometric data about you in its records?

I don’t get the concern for this. When I changed my driver’s license to a ”REAL” ID in Virginia, I brought my passport, social security card, and two utility bills as my documents for verification. The only new info the state got was the fact that I have gas and electric utility service. They already knew my SSN, birth date, address, and had a photo of me on my ”non-REAL” ID.

My state will allow you to request a non-Real (un-Real?) license. The requirement for them applies to more than just airports. Just over 50% of US citizens have passports.

and the chance of being snatched off the street by unidentified actors
claiming state authority seems more plausible recently.

Absolutely. I was thinking about going back to the states this year, but the odds of being detained at the border and being deported to Guantanamo Bay are just too great. But if I stay here I will need to update my federally registered address location and get a new address card, update my mandatory federal ID card, update my mandatory federal healthcare card. That means a lot of waiting in lines and a lot of photos and fingerprints. Such a hassle to be free.

Just over 50% of US citizens have passports

I’m surprised the amount is that high, but that’s great that US citizens have surpassed the halfway mark. Embracing Rick’s motto, indeed: Keep on travelin’ !

@cyn, me too. I am trusting that multiple internet sources are reporting accurately. I used to hear 10-15%.

Thanks for all the explanations for us Canadians.
I’m still not totally clear on it, but I’m gathering you need it if you don’t have a passport in the u.s.
Happy to hear more u.s. citizens are now getting passports to see the world.

Roughly 76% of Americans have traveled to at least one other country, with 26% having visited five or more.

Happy to hear more u.s. citizens are now getting passports to see the world.

And soon, supposedly, so they can vote.

I’m still not totally clear on it, but I’m gathering you need it if you don’t have a passport in the u.s.

Basically the Federal government is trying to fix a couple things. Currently, states control what information is on a drivers license, what it looks like, the format, everything. Short of a state drivers license, and an optional passport, there is no Federal ID card like many countries have (though Canada does not either).

The Real ID concept sets minimum requirements for data listed and format for a drivers license, along with standard (stricter?) identification proof to get the license. The formatting is also in line with international drivers license format. The requirement for a Real ID to board a plane or enter a federal facility is more a tool for the federal government to force the issue (along with availability of federal funding) since they can not require states to comply.

There is a significant pushback whenever the federal government talks about IDs, despite all the clamor about citizenship, requiring IDs for this or that, the same people are suspicious of a National ID scheme.

To all the people that are scared of Real ID yet have a passport and Global Entry-The state and federal government already have that information.

And sorry if I'm traveling to another state, I'm not taking my passport which can lost. Real ID serves it 's purpose and is a lot easier to report lost or stolen.

Roughly 76% of Americans have traveled to at least one other country

Are Florida and Texas considered to be other countries? They should be.

The formatting is also in line with international drivers license format.

Hmm, I read a voluntary initiative amongst most states is why this is happening. New York and California and some other states eschew moving to an international format and their Real ID licenses retain an archaic appearance.

It's interesting that in this go-round on REAL ID we seem to have more profit motives in mind than in the past. The public consciousness changes slowly, but it does change little by little.

Passed by Congress in 2005, the REAL ID Act enacted the 9/11
Commission's recommendation that the Federal Government “set standards
for the issuance of sources of identification, such as driver's
licenses.” The Act established minimum security standards for
state-issued driver's licenses and identification cards and prohibits
certain federal agencies from accepting for official purposes licenses
and identification cards from states that do not meet these standards.
These purposes are: • Accessing certain federal facilities • Boarding
federally regulated commercial aircraft • Entering nuclear power
plants

Sounds reasonable

You must provide documentation showing: 1) Full Legal Name; 2) Date of
Birth; 3) Social Security Number; 4) Two Proofs of Address of
Principal Residence; and 5) Lawful Status (i am guessing birth certificate or passport or in Texas it was your previous DL as you had to have a Birth Certificate to get that).

You don’t think they know this already? Did you file a tax return? They have it.

Okay, so ND may have an issue with their non-resident but resident drivers licenses. If you need two proofs of address, but don’t live there?

I finally got the Senior Real ID in Feb and it was free.

I have the passport, no Global Entry....not needed nor interested. Buying the Amtrak ticket I had to show the Senior Real ID, which gives me the senior discount.

To be honest, I am very confused by the various state requirements. My state began issuing Real ID back in 2016. Since then, I have moved a number of times within the state, which required me to change my address on my license. In order to do this, I just filled out an online form and paid a fee. I don't remember when it happened, but I received a Real ID approved license. I didn't have to go into a DPS or select a special type of license; it just came in the mail. Are there states offering other options? I am curious.

I avoided getting a REAL ID drivers license but after this past month I now carry my global entry card in my wallet all the time.

I'm starting to think about how far things would have to go before I can apply for asylum in France, and wouldn't I just leave before it gets that far? Of course many people made that mistake in the 1930s and (didn't) live to regret it.

I am with LaurieC. Clearly I missed the warning about how dangerous this is back in 2020, when it was time to renew my license and all new licenses were being issued as Real ID. I did have to go renew in person but didn’t need any documentation other than what I had already provided to get a license in the first place.

And yes, all names must match. However I have to make my frequent flyer name match my passport and my miles credit card name also. I guess I am used to names having to match…..

I lost my REAL ID drivers license. To get a replacement online all you need is the 117-digit ID number at the bottom of the card. Who the heck saves that? All the appointments in my city were booked for 2 months, so I had to make an appointment in a city 45 miles from where I lived to get a new driver’s license. I brought a passport as ID. No good,. They wanted to see my Social Security Card too. I havent had one since 1976. It is someplace on Galveston Island beach to this day i guess. So, a pay stub with the social on it would work. Well, I am a self-employed professional, i dont have no freeking pay stub. How about a K-1? Nope, not on the approved list. So a paystub yes, a tax return to the IRS no? Fortunately I own the company, so I called and had the bookkeeper make a paystub. The first one was rejected because the software she uses converts the SS number to XXX-XX-1234. So I had to photoshop it to put the full number in the box and email it again. The clerk at the DL office commented that it looked like I had done the paystub myself. WELL YES I DID DO IT MYSELF CAUSE I OWN THE BLESSED COMPANY!!! After proving ownership of the company I got my driver’s license application approved. G-D Bless Texas!!!

Nice to know that some states are not following the Real ID requirements yet issuing driving licenses with a star in the upper corner anyway.

I think i met all the requirements?

1) Full Legal Name; 2) Date of Birth; on passport

3) Social Security Number; on paystub

4) Two Proofs of Address of Principal Residence; on paystub and in their records for the lost one, I think i had to show something else, don't remember. But my phone bills and utility bills are on my phone with addresses. It wasn't the sticking point.

and 5) Lawful Status. Passport.

Getting the Real ID was pretty easy, waiting 2hrs in the Dept of motor vehicles expected. I took along 2 proofs of residence, the passport, but no dr. license since it was no longer valid, long expired. I had intentionally just let it lapse. I had the original Soc Sec doc on me which goes back to 1967, never misplaced it. ...... entire process was rather perfunctory