Although there is no reason given for why these states and regions were singled out, it could possibly be because these driver’s licenses – the traditional form of identification used at airports – aren’t compatible with new enactments of federal “Real ID” laws.
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Rather than present a passport, residents in the non-compliant states may obtain an enhanced driver’s license, which may cost up to $30, plus the cost of obtaining a regular license.
The Real ID Act – a plan set forth by the Department of Homeland Security in 2013 – has one crucial element that could roll out as early as next year.
A new bill, filed by Rep. Sherman Packard of Londonderry, would make compliance optional. America, you don’t need to comply with the REAL ID Act. In states that have adopted the standards, Real ID licenses have a gold star that indicate compliance. “If they don’t want to, they don’t have to”.
Starting in 2016, travelers from four US states will not be able to use their driver’s licenses as ID to board domestic flights-a pretty major development considering an estimated 38 percent of Americans don’t have passports.
Recently, a viewer reached out to WIS to ask about the possibility that South Carolina residents would require a passport to travel on flights in 2016.
As a sign of opposition to such a practice, Smith noted that New Hampshire lawmakers passed a law forbidding the New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles from giving state driver’s license information to the federal government. 11 measure that tightened access to federal facilities and created a national standard for state-issued IDs; Time reports the four states missed the cut because they either lack an appropriately rigorous verification process for identities or immigration status or because the physical cards they produce don’t contain certain security features. But Dibble said the fact that the state already issues enhanced IDs means the infrastructure to release the compliant IDs may already be in place. It aims to strengthen security at federal buildings and on airplanes after 9/11.
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Military or government ID cards, passport cards and Homeland Security-accepted traveler cards, like NEXUS or Global Entry, would be acceptable for use under the act as well.
