SALEM, Ore.-Real ID’s will be required to fly commercially starting May 7 and Driver and Motor Vehicle Services (DMV) offices across Oregon are seeing longer lines ahead of the deadline.
“May 7 is the day enforcement begins, but we will continue issuing Real ID well into the future,” said Amy Joyce, DMV Administrator.
Passed by Congress in 2005 on the recommendation of the 9/11 Commission, the Real ID Act mandated that the Federal Government “set standards for the issuance of sources of identification, such as driver’s licenses” for boarding federally-regulated commercial aircraft, accessing certain federal facilities and entering nuclear power plants.
The Real ID deadline has been extended or delayed for almost 20 years, but when it finally takes effect everyone 18 and older will need a Real ID or other acceptable form of identification to get through Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints at airports.
To help with the greater demand, the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) has increased the number of Real ID appointments available at DMVs across the state and is encouraging those who may not immediately need the ID to wait.
“If you have no intention of boarding a US flight anytime soon, consider holding off on getting a Real ID until it’s time to renew your credential,” said Joyce.
Travelers won’t need a Real ID if they already have a passport or other federally-accepted alternative. A list of TSA-accepted forms of identification is available online.
Tips for getting a Real ID from the ODOT
Documents: Make sure to bring the necessary documents with you, including one proof of identity and two proofs of address. A guide to the necessary documents is available online.
Time: It may take up to three weeks to get your Real ID, so make sure to leave yourself plenty of time before your travel dates.
Cost: A Real ID costs $30 in addition to the regular fees every time you apply for an original, renewal or replacement.
