GREENVILLE, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — It’s just one month until REAL ID enforcement begins.
The Wisconsin DMV and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) hosted a joint news conference Monday at the Appleton International Airport (ATW) to discuss the latest information on the upcoming deadline, impact on travelers and how to get a REAL ID.
Tommy Winkler with the Wisconsin DMV said that the state is ahead of the curve.
“Nearly 64% of all valid driver license and ID cards in Wisconsin are Real ID compliant today,” he explained. “That’s over 3.1 million driver license and ID cards.”
Enforcement of the federal REAL ID Act of 2005 is scheduled to begin May 7. You only need a REAL ID if you plan to fly within the U.S. or visit a military base or other federal building.
At the airport or federal facility, you will be required by the Department of Homeland Security to show identification that is REAL ID compliant — or show another acceptable form of identification, such as a passport.
Winkler said around two-thirds of residents in Wisconsin are expected to use Real ID when it goes into effect.
You can tell if you already have a Real ID by checking to see if there’s a star in the top right corner of your ID.
Winkler said that while the DMV expects a bit of a bump in traffic with the deadline approaching, they “strive to serve over 80% of our customers in 20 minutes or less when they come to the DMV, and by our customers helping us by going online and preparing their visit, we don’t anticipate any concerns in continuing to keep wait time low for customers.”
Work on implementing this program began in 2005 when Congress passed the Real ID Act.
Mark Lendvay with the TSA said it’s been a long road since then, with numerous delays because states weren’t ready and due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Clearly, the states needed an amount of time to be able to develop the ID, educate their citizens, the communities and then come up with the standard necessary documents as our administrator explained,” he told us. “So it was a lift that we knew would take some time.”
Some travelers at Appleton International Airport, like Jackie Dekay, are already ready for the Real ID deadline.
“I got it when I got my new drivers license, which was a while ago. In 2019,” she said.
Others, like Erica Swagel, are just catching up to the news.
“I got it when I went in to get her her temps, because I had no idea about it until then. So, if I didn’t go to the DMV at that point, I never would have known,” Swagel said.
The REAL ID designation can be added for free during the regular driver license or ID card renewal cycle. Travelers planning to fly before their next card renewal should start now to be REAL ID ready.
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