SALT LAKE CITY - The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) today reminded Utah residents that starting Oct. 1, 2020, travelers will need a REAL ID-compliant form of identification to board a commercial flight.
To determine if a Utah driver license is REAL ID-compliant, look for a small star inside a gold circle and the outline of the state of Utah with the words, “UT USA” in the upper right-hand corner. The presence of the icon and words will indicate that the driver license is REAL ID –compliant.
Congress passed The REAL ID Act in 2005. It enacted a recommendation from the 9/11 Commission that established minimum security standards for state-issued driver licenses and identification cards. The Act further prohibited federal agencies, including the TSA, from accepting state-issued driver licenses or identification cards that do not meet the minimum standards. REAL ID is intended to improve the reliability and accuracy of driver licenses and identification cards while inhibiting the ability of terrorists and others to evade detection by using fraudulent identification.
Individuals who have visited a driver license field office and qualified for a Utah license or identification card since January 2010 are eligible to receive a license or identification card with the Real ID markings. A driving privilege card is not REAL ID-compliant.
- If your license or identification card expires before October 1, 2020, you will receive a license or identification card with the Real ID indicator through the standard renewal process.
- If your license or identification card expires after October 1, 2020, you will receive a complimentary license or identification card with the Real ID indicator in the mail. This complimentary license or identification card will have the same expiration date as your current license or identification card.
Now is the time to confirm that your contact information is current with the Utah Driver License Division.
Beginning Oct. 1, 2020, all travelers will need a REAL ID-compliant form of identification to board a commercial flight or gain access to secure federal facilities, including military bases, nuclear facilities and some federal offices. TSA maintains a full list of acceptable forms of REAL ID-compliant identification at https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/identification. A Utah Driving Privilege Card is not REAL ID-compliant.
Signs are currently posted at airports nationwide reminding the public that REAL ID-compliant licenses or other acceptable forms of identification will be mandatory for air travel beginning on October 1, 2020. More information and Frequently Asked Questions on REAL ID can be found at https://www.dhs.gov/real-id-public-faqs.