Pennsylvania air travelers may have a problem next year as Real ID law targets identification

If you’re contemplating air travel in 2016, your Pennsylvania driver’s license may not be sufficient identification.

 

An Allentown man sent me a link the other day to a story at the Flygirl.com website and wrote, “Is this true? The PA driver’s license cannot be used for air travel starting in 2016? Do I need to get an enhanced license?”

 

The story reported that air travelers from a bunch of states, including Pennsylvania, will find beginning next year that their ordinary driver’s licenses won’t be sufficient identification to allow them to fly under what is known as the Real ID Act because those licenses don’t require proof of U.S. citizenship. We’ll need stronger identification, including either passports or what are known as enhanced driver’s licenses, which are issued only after proof of citizenship.

 

I checked into it and learned that it’s complicated and controversial. Oddly enough, I saw a misleading conversation about it a few days later on Facebook, so word is getting around.

 

Rather than bury the lead, I’ll tell you straight out that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security isn’t saying when exactly this requirement will go into effect, except that an announcement will be made before the end of this year and that enhanced driver’s licenses won’t be required before 2016.

 

Read More: Pennsylvania air travelers may have a problem next year as Real ID law targets identification – The Morning Call

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