Another REAL ID Deadline Fast Approaching.

• Author: Husch, Ben
• Position: TRENDS

Is your driver's license REAL?

The 2005 REAL ID Act set minimum standards for state-issued driver's licenses and identification cards. It requires that anyone trying to access certain federal facilities, board federally regulated commercial aircraft or enter a nuclear power plant present ID that meets the standards.

As of Nov. 10, 2017, 27 states and D.C. were in compliance with the federal act. Another 17 had received temporary extensions from the Department of Homeland Security. And six states and all the territories were under review for an extension.

Starting Jan. 22, only passengers from states in compliance with the federal law, or from states with an extension, will be able to use their existing driver's license or state ID to board a domestic flight. Air travelers from...