In 2005 Congress passed a new law, known as the REAL ID Act. This law established new requirements for state issued identification to be used for certain purposes. Among those purposes is presenting identification in order to board a commercial flight. Currently, the requirement to present a REAL ID Act compliant identification card for the purpose of air travel is set to take effect January 22, 2018.

Washington State’s REAL ID bill passed the Legislature this session and was signed into law by the Governor on May 16. The Federal REAL ID law requires state driver’s licenses to have security enhancements and to be issued to people who can prove they are legally in the United States. The law affects airports with commercial passenger service. It was passed after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks to strengthen rules for identification needed at airports and federal facilities. The law creates a two-tiered system for driver’s licenses in Washington State. As of July 2018, standard driver’s licenses will be marked as non-compliant and will require a secondary form of ID to board domestic commercial flights. Driver’s may also elect to pay for an enhanced driver’s license that meets Federal requirements. Click here for information regarding how to obtain a WSDOT Enhanced Driver's License (EDL) or an Enhanced ID Card (EID).

Sara Young
WAMA Legislative Committee
board3@wama.us