With the pandemic limiting access to licensing services throughout the U.S., the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is granting more time to make sure you have REAL ID-compliant identification.
Enforcement of the REAL ID Act, which strengthens ID standards for air travel, won’t begin until May 3, 2023 — years later than originally planned. The deadline was also postponed last year, shortly after the COVID-19 pandemic began.
When the REAL ID Act goes into effect, every air traveler 18 years of age or older will need a compliant ID in order to board a domestic flight or access federal facilities such as military bases.
Washington state offers two forms of identification that meet REAL ID standards: the enhanced driver license (EDL) and enhanced ID card (EID). These can be obtained only by visiting a driver licensing office.
However, driver licensing offices in Washington are now appointment-only. Appointments are for people with urgent needs who cannot go online or get what they need some other way.
It may be quicker and easier to obtain a different type of REAL ID-compliant document. There are many options, and you may already have what you need.
All of the following are REAL ID compliant:
- U.S. passport
- U.S. passport card
- Foreign passport
- Permanent resident card (green card)
- U.S. military ID
- Federally recognized, tribal-issued photo ID
- Border crossing card
- U.S. citizenship and immigration services employment authorization card (I-766)
- DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
- HSPD-12 PIV card
- Transportation worker identification credential
- U.S. merchant mariner credential
- Veteran health identification card (VHIC)
We encourage people seeking a qualifying document to explore options other than an EDL or EID at this time. If you want to upgrade to an enhanced version, renew your standard license/ID online and upgrade in person later. You will pay only the difference in cost, $4 a year for the term remaining.
If your Washington driver license/ID expired after March 1, 2020 and you can’t renew it, the Transportation Security Administration will accept it up to a year after expiration.
After REAL ID goes into effect, your standard driver license/ID will still allow you to drive within the U.S. and ride a train. You can also continue to access courthouses, Social Security offices, national parks, and health care facilities. It will still work for most day-to-day purposes.
Licensing Express 