Update-The Real ID Act: How it will Affect Louisiana Residents

What is the Real ID Act?

• Congress passed the REAL ID Act in 2005 as a repsonse to the 9/11 attacks.

• Part of the act, requires residents to show proof of citizenship or residency in order to obtain a license. Louisiana is one of the states that does not require this.

• As a result, Louisiana’s non compliance, residents of the state will have to show additional identification when traveling domestically.

• Louisiana was granted an extension which would allow Federal agencies to accept the state’s driver’s licenses until October 10th, 2016.

What is the status of the act?

According to NOLA.com, on Tuesday, March 22nd the Senate Transportation Comittee approved legislation that will reverse former Governor Boby Jindal’s veto to the Real ID Act from 2014. If this new bill passes, the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles may immediately commence to issue drivers licenses and state identification cards that will be accepted at airports and many federal buildings.

What’s next for Louisiana Residents?

If the bill does not pass, beginning in January 2018, Louisiana residents may not be able to fly domestically unless they have the required form of identification such as a passport, passport card, etc. If the law does pass, Louisiana residents will be able to utilize their driver’s licenses to travel domestically until 2020. While Louisiana Residents have at least until January of 2018 before their domestic travel might be affected, it is advised that they begin thinking about whether they want to obtain the type of ID that will be required for domestic travel. Government officials say that the DMVs will be overflowing with activity as the deadline approaches.