Beginning October 1, 2020 your driver license, permit or ID card must be REAL ID compliant if you choose to use it as your identification to board a domestic flight. While that is just over a year away, it will be here sooner than you think. New York State DMV has put together this video that details the differences between the Standard, REAL ID and Enhanced Driver's Licenses to help you choose which is best for you. You can also fill in the DMV questionnaire to find which is right for you.
The REAL ID is not mandatory but it is encouraged. If you have a valid passport, that is already compliant and can be used to board a domestic flight.
ENHANCED
An Enhanced license, permit, or non-driver ID can be used
- to board a domestic flight (within the U.S.)
- to enter a federal building or military base
- to cross a U.S. border coming from Canada, Mexico, and some Caribbean countries (it is not acceptable for air travel between these countries)
- for photo identification purposes
Enhanced
- is Federal REAL ID compliant
- costs an additional $30 on top of the regular transaction fees
- requires an office visit to prove your
- identity- *if your name has changed bring in marriage certificate(s), divorce decree(s) or court order document(s)
- NY State residency
- U.S. citizenship
- date of birth
- Social Security status
- shows your full legal name (first, middle, last)
- shows your residential address (where you live)
- has an American flag displayed on the document
REAL ID
A REAL ID license, permit, or non-driver ID can be used
- to board a domestic flight (within the U.S.)
- to enter a federal building or military base
- for photo identification purposes
REAL ID
- is Federal REAL ID compliant
- does not have additional cost, but all regular transaction fees will apply
- requires an office visit to prove your
- identity- *if your name has changed bring in marriage certificate(s), divorce decree(s) or court order document(s)
- NY State residency
- lawful presence in the U.S.
- Social Security status
- shows your full legal name (first, middle, last)
- shows your residential address (where you live)
- has a star displayed on the document
STANDARD
A Standard license, permit, or non-driver ID can be used
- to board a domestic flight only until October 1, 2020
- for photo identification purposes
Standard
- is not Federal REAL ID compliant
- does not have additional cost, but all regular transaction fees will apply
- does not require an office visit to replace or renew
- shows your mailing address
- will require a second form of identification to board a flight after October 1, 2020
- has “NOT FOR FEDERAL PURPOSES” displayed on the document if issued after October 30, 2017
*If issued before October 30, 2017 and is not Enhanced, you have a Standard document.
Video Credit: New York State Department of Motor Vehicles