The REAL ID requirement has been a topic of conversation for years. But officials recently extended the deadline until 2025.
The anticipated date was May 3, 2023. But due to COVID-19 delays, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has allotted extra time. And officials at Pittsburgh International Airport said travelers should not expect any additional setbacks.
"People have been able to, over the last few years, see them push the deadline back,” said Tyler Laughlin, the airport’s director of corporate and government relations. “But I would not count on that going much further forward."
The change in IDs will, in fact, affect the process at security checkpoints, even travelers with TSA pre-check. Without a REAL ID or an updated passport, flying within the U.S. will not be possible.
"Our biggest concern as an airport, as the travel community is, you know, you're going to visit grandma, you're going to a wedding, funeral, and you show up to the airport packed and ready to go, you get to the front of the TSA line and they say, 'I'm sorry, you can't get on this plane,'" Laughlin said.
The solution? Go to your bureau or department of motor vehicles and apply before May 7, 2025. But officials advise travelers to also pay attention to their state of residence, as there might be a different application process in each.
"So, I would encourage you, whatever state you're in, go to that department of transportation or the department of motor vehicle's website,” Laughlin advised. “They're going to have a checklist to make it really easy for you to understand what you need to do to get that REAL ID."
REAL IDS have a star in the top corner, while most state driver's licenses do not. For Ohio residents with an older license that already feature a gold star, the REAL IDS have a black star.
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