Residents of New York, New Hampshire, Louisiana and Minnesota may soon learn
their driver’s licenses are no longer considered valid identification for
boarding domestic aircraft under federal rules that could take effect next
year, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security says.In those four states, as
well as American Samoa, residents do not have to show proof of citizenship or
residency in order to obtain a driver’s license, which is what makes their
identification non-compliant under the latest phase of the federal REAL ID
Act.The act was authorized by the DHS in 2005, but the new rules will go in
effect “no sooner than 2016,”according to the DHS. Other forms of
identification that are viable include military or governmental IDs, a
passport, a passport card, an Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL) or a DHS trusted
traveler cards such as NEXUS or Global Entry.
