Flying domestically in US with only Drivers License?

[Demise 1,283]

6 hours ago, Jorgedig said:

Some states, like Washington, only dispenses Real ID DLs to US citizens.

It's a bit different than that. WA does not issue the normal kind of Real ID DLs or IDs. They do however issue Enhanced Driver's Licenses to US Citizens, but that's a step above Real ID. Basically with most states it's: Enhanced > Real ID > Standard, not all states offer all 3.

 

At the same time, Real ID got pushed back so many times that at this point I think that DHS just never plans to implement it. It's a law on the books, so they can't just ignore it, but they can keep kicking this down the road until either something forces them to implement it (like a court order or another law) or permanently.

 

I think WA is just calling their bluff: "We're not going to issue these because you will never implement it".

 

That being said, I flew from NYC (JFK) to San Antonio, from San Antonio to Atlanta to Newark, from NYC (LGA) to Charlotte, NC to Minneapolis-St.Paul on a standard NY Driver's License, the worst that happened was the TSA agent just doing a double take because it was an old picture.

Edited June 17, 2022 by Demise

[SalishSea 17,829]

1 hour ago, Demise said:

It's a bit different than that. WA does not issue the normal kind of Real ID DLs or IDs. They do however issue Enhanced Driver's Licenses to US Citizens, but that's a step above Real ID. Basically with most states it's: Enhanced > Real ID > Standard, not all states offer all 3.

 

At the same time, Real ID got pushed back so many times that at this point I think that DHS just never plans to implement it. It's a law on the books, so they can't just ignore it, but they can keep kicking this down the road until either something forces them to implement it (like a court order or another law) or permanently.

 

I think WA is just calling their bluff: "We're not going to issue these because you will never implement it".

 

That being said, I flew from NYC (JFK) to San Antonio, from San Antonio to Atlanta to Newark, from NYC (LGA) to Charlotte, NC to Minneapolis-St.Paul on a standard NY Driver's License, the worst that happened was the TSA agent just doing a double take because it was an old picture.

We can also opt out of the enhanced DL, and just get a standard one, which I did, since I have a passport.   It also meant that I could renew online with the old pic, vs. having to go to the DMV during Covid.   Was cheaper, too.

[beloved_dingo 1,979]

17 hours ago, Jorgedig said:

Some states, like Washington, only dispenses Real ID DLs to US citizens.

It's funny how much it varies. My husband was required to get a Real ID when he got his DL whereas I still have a regular ole DL and haven't been forced to change it (yet). This was in Alabama right after he got his green card. 

[mam521 2,062]

Texas is transitioning everything to Real ID but it's a state that you have to show proof of residency and they will send off for a SAVE CaseCheck.  The licenses expire the minute your residency expires.  It's a real pain in the rear when you renew or extend something, especially if you don't yet have the paperwork in hand (in my case, it was a new I-797b with work authorization), but on the other hand, it's intent is to make sure you're legally in the US.  

 

Domestically, I only ever show my DL when flying.  I carry my passport and GC, but have never been asked to see it.