DENVER - The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in Colorado today joined with the Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to provide a briefing on REAL ID at Denver International Airport (DEN). Starting Oct. 1, 2020, air travelers will need a REAL ID driver license or ID card or another acceptable form of identification to board a flight at all U.S. airports.
Colorado has been issuing REAL IDs since 2012. Colorado REAL ID licenses and ID cards have a star located in the upper right-hand corner of the card.
“TSA, in partnership with the Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles, is reminding Coloradans that they will need a REAL ID or other acceptable form of identification to board a plane starting Oct. 1, 2020,” said TSA Colorado Federal Security Director Larry Nau. “We urge travelers not to wait until the last minute to get a REAL ID if they don’t already have one.”
Passengers who do not have a REAL ID can use another acceptable form of identification, such as a valid passport or a U.S. military ID, to access an airport security checkpoint starting Oct. 1 of next year. A complete list of acceptable IDs is at https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/identification. A REAL ID also will be required to gain access to secure federal facilities, including military bases, nuclear facilities and some federal offices starting Oct. 1, 2020.
Signs are currently posted at DEN and airports around the country reminding travelers of the deadline. In addition, TSA Transportation Security Officers are advising passengers at the checkpoints about REAL ID requirements.
“As for Colorado, the Centennial State proactively approached the REAL ID Act and began issuing compliant driver licenses and ID cards in 2012,” said DMV Senior Director Mike Dixon. “We acted promptly to ensure the vast majority of Coloradans don’t have to worry about getting a REAL ID compliant driver license or ID card, because they already have one. Like pioneering the Colorado Digital ID or offering 35 online services, being REAL ID compliant so early is another example of the DMV acting promptly and efficiently in the public’s interest.”
Because the DMV started issuing REAL ID compliant credentials about seven years ago, most Coloradans don’t need to do anything. However, with the exception of those with a Colorado Road and Community Safety Act (CO-RCSA) driver license or ID card, Coloradans can be issued a REAL ID compliant credential by going through the DMV’s normal issuance process. Visit www.Colorado.gov/DMV for information on licensing and identification requirements.
Coloradans with a CO-RCSA driver license or ID card will need to bring another acceptable form of identification, as identified by TSA.
Passed by Congress in 2005, the REAL ID Act complies with 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 federal agencies from accepting licenses and identification cards from states that do not meet these standards for official purposes, such as at airport security checkpoints. The regulations established the deadline of October 1, 2020, to ensure full enforcement of the REAL ID Act. States have made considerable progress in meeting this key recommendation of the 9/11 Commission.
More information and Frequently Asked Questions on REAL ID can be found at https://www.dhs.gov/real-id-public-faqs.