The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has extended the REAL ID Act enforcement date by another 2 years. That means residents can continue to use a regular driver’s license — for now — to fly domestically.
The REAL ID full enforcement date is now May 7, 2025. Under the new regulations published to execute this change, states will now have additional time to ensure their residents have driver’s licenses and identification cards that meet the security standards established by the REAL ID Act.
As required by the law, following the enforcement deadline, federal agencies including the TSA will be prohibited from accepting driver’s licenses and identification cards that do not meet these federal standards.
Although there will be travel and access restrictions on the enforcement date, REAL ID cards are optional and citizens do not have to obtain one before the deadline. Other federally approved documents, like a valid passport or passport card, are accepted for U.S. air travel and military base entry.
According to an announcement from the DHS, the extension is necessary, in part, to address the lingering impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the ability to obtain a REAL ID driver’s license or identification card.
“REAL ID progress over the past two years has been significantly hindered by state driver’s licensing agencies having to work through the backlogs created by the pandemic,” the announcement reads. “Many of these agencies took various steps in response to the pandemic including automatically extending the expiration dates of driver’s licenses and identification cards and shifting operations to appointment only.”
Passed by Congress in 2005 following a 9/11 Commission recommendation, the REAL ID Act establishes minimum security standards for state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards. Security standards include incorporating anti-counterfeiting technology, preventing insider fraud, and using documentary evidence and record checks to ensure a person is who they claim to be.
Daviess County residents and those in the surrounding area can get their REAL ID or driver’s license at the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet-Owensboro Regional Office, located at 2620 KY 81 at the Daviess County Operations Center.
Hours are Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and appointments are highly suggested due to limited walk-in space.
Application for a REAL ID must be done in person, with proof of residence, social security, and identity at a KYTC regional office. Those seeking to renew or replace a standard-issue license or ID card can do so by mail or drop-off with the circuit court clerk in the license holder’s county of residence, provided there has been no change of name or address and the license holder does not require driver testing by Kentucky State Police.
For more information about obtaining a REAL ID in Kentucky, click here.
