Summary
On January 8, 2016, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the schedule for the final phase of implementation of the REAL ID Act of 2005 (P.L. 109-13). The act codifies the 9/11 Commission’s recommendation that states meet specific standards when issuing driver’s licenses and identification (ID) cards used for federal purposes. The final phase addresses aviation, announcing the dates on which 1) the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will no longer accept noncompliant IDs from noncompliant states without an extension (January 22, 2018), and 2) the TSA will accept only compliant IDs from compliant states (October 1, 2020).