Phased Enforcement Plan Could Push REAL ID Implementation to 2027 for Some States

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has proposed a phased enforcement approach that could effectively extend for REAL ID implementation deadline to 2027 for some states as they grapple with the integration of mobile driver’s licenses (mDLs) into their identification systems. This potential extension comes as Illinois recently joined 11 other states in formally adopting digital identification technology.

The REAL ID Act, enacted in 2005 under President Bush, established enhanced security standards for state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards. The implementation timeline has seen multiple extensions since its inception, with deadlines shifted in 2009, 2011, 2014, and several times during the COVID-19 pandemic. These standards were created to prevent identity fraud and enhance national security measures following recommendations from the 9/11 Commission.

Under current regulations, state residents must obtain REAL ID-compliant identification by May 7, 2025, to access certain federal facilities and board domestic flights. However, recent DHS regulatory changes regarding mobile driver’s licenses may necessitate a deadline adjustment to 2027. This shift aligns with the DHS’s broader initiatives to modernize digital credentials and enhance privacy-focused identification solutions.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has introduced amendments to REAL ID regulations that would permit the continued use of non-compliant mDLs for official purposes through May 6, 2025, provided states submit appropriate waiver applications. In Illinois, for example, airports do not currently accept digital identification documents, but state officials will have the opportunity to apply for a temporary waiver when the final rule takes effect on November 25, 2024. This development follows the recent publication of international standards for mobile driver’s licenses, which is expected to accelerate adoption across the United States.

The potential extension aligns with the federal government’s evolving approach to digital identification technologies, particularly the integration of mobile driver’s licenses, which allow users to store digitized versions of their identification credentials on electronic devices. Several states, including Iowa and Georgia, have already implemented successful mDL programs, providing valuable implementation models for Illinois to consider.

Source: 1440 WROK

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November 18, 2024 – by Cass Kennedy and Alex Perala