REAL ID Deadline Extended, But Clients Still Need Your Help

Apr 4

You likely are familiar with the need to verify clients’ entry documents, such as passports, visas, and tourist cards. However, you may be less familiar with newer documents, like enhanced driver’s licenses and REAL ID cards.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has mandated that U.S. travelers be REAL ID-compliant by May 3, 2023 to board domestic flights and access certain federal facilities. That deadline may seem far away. However, as a travel advisor, part of your role and ethical obligation is to anticipate your clients’ travel needs and requirements, such as passports, vaccinations, and so on. The REAL ID is one of those requirements.

Take the time now to understand what the REAL ID is and educate your clients on the requirements. This is just one more way you can showcase your value to your clients. One idea is to schedule a Zoom night or record a video for your clients that explains which documents clients must gather and where they should go to apply for a REAL ID card.

The federal REAL ID program is intended to set national standards for state-issued identification cards, like driver’s licenses and non-driver IDs. The REAL ID Act, passed in 2005, established minimum security standards for license issuance. The purposes covered by the Act include accessing federal facilities and boarding federally regulated commercial aircraft.

When the REAL ID Act is fully implemented—currently scheduled for May 3, 2023—U.S. citizens and residents will need to show a REAL ID-compliant document to go through TSA security at the airport or to enter secure federal buildings. The REAL ID is available to both U.S. citizens and to legal U.S. alien residents. The Act does not require individuals to present identification where it is not currently required to access a federal facility (such as to enter the public areas of the Smithsonian Museum). Note that REAL ID cards cannot be used for border crossings into Canada, Mexico, or other international travel.

Why should you be concerned with the REAL ID card right now?

DHS extended the enforcement of the REAL ID Act until May 3, 2023 due to the Covid-19 pandemic forcing the temporary closure of many states’ departments of motor vehicles (DMVs) and registries of motor vehicles (RMVs). Thus, they need additional time to catch up. That means your clients should use this time to become REAL ID-compliant. To assist your clients to determine if they are REAL ID-ready, you can use an interactive tool provided by DHS.

Our very own Travel Institute team has been converting to the REAL ID. All team members have experienced an easy conversion by ensuring that they had all documentation ready prior to arriving at either their RMVs/DMVs or to local AAA branches that handle such services.

While this is not as exciting as discovering a new, invigorating destination, this type of information prepares you to do what you do best—ensure that your clients' vacations have no hiccups. So, take the time to educate your clients on the process to renew or convert to the REAL ID as soon as possible.

What do you need to know about an EDL?

An enhanced driver’s license (EDL) is a state-issued driver’s license with a few extra perks. The EDL is similar to a passport card in that it provides proof of identification and U.S. citizenship. It allows travelers to re-enter the United States from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean.

An EDL is accepted only at land and sea border crossings—it is not for air travel. It also contains radio-frequency microchipping that uniquely identifies travelers in Customs and Border Protection (CBP) databases, which should promote a more expeditious cross.

Not all U.S. states (or Canadian provinces) issue EDLs—yet. The best way to find out if a state offers an EDL is to contact its motor vehicle agency.