By MICHAEL CRIMMINS
Glasgow News 1
Ready or not, the REAL ID enforcement date is tomorrow, May 7.
Beginning on May 7 a person whose ID does not have the black star cannot use it at “airport security checkpoints for U.S. commercial air travel or visit federal facilities that require ID,” according to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, though a standard ID can still be used for driving, voting, “age-restricted purchases” and accessing federal and social benefits, like social security offices and veteran affair hospitals.
A person can get a REAL ID at a driver licensing regional office, which are scattered throughout the commonwealth with the closest to Glasgow being the one in Bowling Green, and must have one proof of identity, one proof of social security and two proofs of residency, the transportation cabinet states. The REAL ID does have an eight-year expiration option.
The cabinet reports 36.6 percent of Kentuckians — 1.33 million — have a REAL ID, which lead to several Kentucky senators filing a letter with Homeland Security secretary Krisi Noem. The letter requests another delay to the enforcement date.
“While the intent behind [the] REAL ID is understandable, we believe the practical impact on Kentuckians must also be considered,” the letter stated. “Despite significant progress, Kentucky is simply not fully prepared for complete implementation. If the REAL ID requirement moves forward as scheduled, it will further strain already overburdened regional offices and create unnecessary hardship.”
The enforcement date has not been pushed back.
In 2005, Congress passed the REAL ID Act, which established minimum security standards for state-issued licenses and ID cards. It was enacted in response to 9/11.
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet reminds people that this is not a deadline and people can still apply for “one any time after [May 7].”
