On April 27, 2020, the Department of Homeland Security published a final rule in the Federal Register that the previously scheduled card-based enforcement of the REAL ID regulations from October 1, 2020 to October 1, 2021.
The greatest impact of this extension is the impact to domestic air travelers seeking to use their state-issued driver’s license or identification card when passing through TSA checkpoints at U.S. airports. This extension also impacts the ability of individuals seeking to use these documents with other federal agencies, such as the USCIS when attending appointments or interviews.
Under the new rule, individuals can continue to use state-issued driver’s licenses or identification cards that are not yet compliant with REAL ID until October 1, 2021. To tell if a driver’s license is REAL ID-compliant, check for a star at the top of the card, although legacy Ohio driver’s licenses (i.e., non-compliant driver’s licenses) have a gold star marking on the card, whereas REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses have a black cut-out star, see here.
For more information about REAL ID, including information about where to obtain a REAL ID in your state, use the DHS REAL ID website and click on your state.
Read the published rule in the Federal Register here.