Updates on Mo. REAL ID compliant driver’s license

For those of you having to get your driver’s license renewed or a license for the first time, be ready for what may seem to you as a trick question. Do you want a driver’s license or ID card marked as compliant REAL ID or a regular license marked non-compliant?

Those of you who have recently visited your local Department of Motor Vehicle licensing office know what we’re talking about.  But if you don’t have any idea as to what the choice is all about, you may be wondering what to do.

The Missouri Department of Revenue has a great resource on its Website that breaks down the information surrounding the new licenses. But below we summarized the Website’s more salient points on the REAL ID.

So what is the “REAL ID”?

“REAL ID” comes from the REAL ID Act of 2005.  It was a federal law that focused on fraud protection, anti-terrorism, and driver license and nondriver license identification card (ID card) security.

The REAL ID Act established minimum security standards for state-issued driver licenses and ID cards and prohibits federal agencies from accepting for official purposes driver licenses and ID cards from states that do not meet these standards. But be happy. The state of Missouri achieved full implementation of its REAL ID program in 2019 and has been issuing the REAL ID to those requesting it.  And for Missouri drivers, that’s a good thing.

Why? Because starting October 1, 2021, residents of every U.S. state and territory wanting to board a federally regulated domestic flight, will be required to present a REAL ID-compliant driver license or ID card, or another form of ID accepted by the Transportation Security Administration.

Military requirements of the REAL ID

The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) recently finalized an update to its DoD-wide installation security policy and is in the process of no longer accepting noncompliant marked cards across all of its facilities and installations. This means the military is in the process of no longer accepting driver licenses or nondriver identification cards marked as being noncompliant with REAL ID for the purposes of accessing a military base. This policy change impacts DoD installations in all states, not just Missouri.

Prior to October 1, 2021, military bases will accept licenses and ID cards marked as being REAL ID-compliant or Missouri licenses and ID cards issued prior to March 25, 2019, which have no REAL ID marking, compliant or noncompliant. In Missouri, a license or ID card that is noncompliant with REAL ID will have “NOT FOR REAL ID PURPOSES” in the upper right-hand corner. Anyone attempting to access a military base with a Missouri-issued license or ID card marked as “NOT FOR REAL ID PURPOSES” may be denied entry.

TIP: To ensure you have the proper identification, you should contact the military base you plan to visit in advance to obtain information regarding identification requirements.

Also beginning October 1, 2021, individuals must present a REAL ID-compliant driver license or ID card, or another form of acceptable ID, to access federal facilities and to enter nuclear power plants.

Do I need a REAL ID-compliant driver license or nondriver ID card?

It depends. Effective October 1, 2021, you will be required to present a REAL ID-compliant driver license or nondriver ID card, or another form of identification accepted by the Transportation Security Administration, to board domestic flights. Also beginning October 1, 2021, you will be required to present a REAL ID-compliant license or ID card, or another form of acceptable ID, to access federal facilities and to enter nuclear power plants.

However, you are not required and likely do not need to obtain a REAL ID-compliant license or ID card if:

1) You will not need one for any of the above purposes on or after October 1, 2021; or

2) You hold another form of identification that meets federal requirements, such as a valid U.S. passport or passport card.

It’s really your choice

So, does Missouri law require me to hold a REAL ID-compliant driver license or nondriver ID card? No. Under Missouri law, applying for a REAL ID-compliant driver license or nondriver ID card is your choice. Issuance of a REAL ID-compliant license or ID card is not mandatory.

So you will be required to present a REAL ID driver license, nondriver ID card, or other form of identification that meets federal requirements to board domestic flights, access federal facilities, and enter nuclear power plants on October 1, 2021. Prior to October 1, 2021, you can continue to use your current Missouri-issued driver license or nondriver ID card, regardless of whether it is REAL ID-compliant.

Can I get the new ID now?

Yes, Missouri residents were able to apply for a REAL ID-compliant Missouri driver license or nondriver ID card beginning March 25, 2019. Please note: Missouri licenses and ID cards issued prior to March 25, 2019, will afford you the same access as a REAL ID-compliant license or ID card until October 1, 2021.

TIP: When applying for a REAL ID-compliant license or ID card, please allow time for its processing and mailing (typically 10-15 days). If you need to fly on October 1, 2021, and you wait to renew until September 30, 2021, you will not receive your REAL ID-compliant license or ID card in time to fly. Consider renewing no later than September 1, 2021, if you will need to fly on or soon after October 1, 2021, to allow sufficient time for delivery of your license or ID card.

Sky is falling; I need my new ID now!

If you’re panicking about whether you need to rush to the DMV to get your REAL ID compliance license or nondriver ID card today because you need to driver to work, vote or register to vote, for state ID purposes, or age verification, don’t sweat it. The REAL ID Act does not invalidate any previously issued Missouri driver license or nondriver ID card. It does not affect current use of your license or ID card for the purpose of driving, voting or registering to vote, state purposes, or for age verification.

Moving enforcement date

If you were thinking there was not enough time, the REAL ID enforcement deadline was originally October 1, 2020, and recently extended a year later to October 1, 2021 because of circumstances related t the COVID-19 pandemic.  You can read the full statement from DHS: dhs.gov/news/2020/03/26/acting-secretary-chad-wolf-statement-real-id-enforcement-deadline.