DRIVER have just days left to upgrade their licenses or they could be blocked from boarding domestic flights.
A new federal ID rule kicks in next month, and officials say the last-minute scramble is already creating packed offices and long lines.
TodayThe STAR ID is Alabama’s version of a federally approved ID which is required to fly within the US starting May 7 (file photo)[/caption] GettyRegular licenses will still be valid for driving, voting, and other everyday use, they won’t be enough at the airport (stock image)[/caption] YouTube @WBTV News - CharlotteIn major Alabama cities like Birmingham, Huntsville, and Mobile, appointment slots are nearly gone[/caption]Americans need to snap up their Real IDs before May 7 if they want to board domestic flights.
Lines at Departments of Motor Vehicles are already stretching as travelers rush to get their new cards, and latecomers could face long waits or be forced to reschedule.
Without a Real ID, travelers will need a passport or other federally accepted identification to board a domestic flight.
This is a change from the previous standards, which allowed citizens to fly within the country using their regular driver’s licenses or other photo ID cards from their state’s DMV.
The long-delayed federal law, passed in 2005 in the wake of 9/11, is finally being enforced this year.
While regular licenses will still be valid for driving, voting, and other everyday use, they won’t be enough at the airport.
In Alabama, the required upgrade is known as the STAR ID. It’s the only state-issued license that will be accepted at TSA checkpoints.
The STAR ID has been available in Alabama since 2012, but Alabama Law Enforcement Agency officials say many people have waited until the last minute to switch over.
“To avoid prolonged wait times, ALEA encourages citizens to schedule an appointment online,” the agency said, according to the Lowndes Signal.
In major cities like Birmingham, Huntsville, and Mobile, appointment slots are nearly gone.
“If appointments are booked in your area, please check other nearby examining offices,” ALEA added.
“We continue to see an influx of citizens coming into our local examining offices,” Jonathan Archer, Director of ALEA’s Department of Public Safety, said.
CHECK CORNER OF YOUR LICENSE
May 7 is not the last day to get the ID, but it is when the rules start being enforced.
To check if you already have a STAR ID, look for a gold star in the top left corner of your license.
Applying for a REAL ID
The process varies by state, but residents will need a few documents to apply for a REAL ID before the deadline.
No matter the state, the application process can be started online by scanning and uploading the necessary documents, basic information, and Social Security numbers. Once submitted and reviewed, an in-person visit to the DMV or your state’s department agency is necessary for an attendant to verify the documents.
From there, a thumbprint will be recorded in the system, and a photo will be issued for the ID before it’s mailed.
The documents needed are those that show:
Full legal name (previous driver’s license, passport, etc) Date of birth (like a birth certificate, or an official copy of one) Social Security number (Social Security card) Two proofs of residence (like a utility bill or voter registration card) Lawful statusSource: Department of Homeland Security
In other states, Real IDs typically have gold stars on the top right corner of the license.
Cards printed after April 25, 2022, that don’t meet the federal standards will say “Not for Federal Identification.”
TSA doesn’t require children under 18 to show ID for domestic flights, but teens 15 and up can get a STAR ID.
HOW TO APPLY
To apply, you must visit a Driver License Exam Office in person and bring the correct documents.
If your name has changed, you will need proof like a marriage certificate or court record.
If your documents show the name of a parent or spouse, you must bring a birth certificate or marriage certificate to verify.
The fee is $36.25 – the same as a standard driver’s license.
There’s no extra charge if you upgrade while renewing your current license.
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