People across Puget Sound are waiting hours in line at their local Department of Licensing (DOL) to get a REAL ID before Wednesday’s deadline.
“That’s crazy because the other day it was going all the way in the back so I had to leave. I wasn’t going to stay in line,” said Anthony Williams.
“I’m nervous, said Shane Klemisch. “I have to fly Friday.”
Anyone who is looking to fly domestically or enter a federal building in the United States must have a REAL ID compliant form of identification by May 7.
REAL ID is a federal law, not an actual piece of identification marked as such.
The REAL ID Act, passed by Congress in 2005, enacted the 9/11 Commission’s recommendation that the Federal Government “set standards for the issuance of sources of identification, such as driver’s licenses.”
You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for an enhanced driver’s license. However, if you’re not, you can still apply for a standard driver’s license if you would like to drive around the country.
People were seen waiting in long lines, hoping to get their enhanced driver’s license before their upcoming flights.
One person told KIRO 7 News that his wife had waited more than five hours in line to get her enhanced driver’s license at the Arlington DOL office.
“I couldn’t believe it frankly. I thought it [the line] was to the end of the building and ‘Oh, that will be okay,’ and I came around to the end of the building, and it’s around off the other end of the building. It’s around the back in the alley,” said Carol Hackman.
In the top right corner of your Washington State driver’s license, it will indicate whether your identification will be accepted. If your license says “federal limits apply,” then you will either need to update it to an Enhanced Driver’s License or use another form of accepted ID to fly domestically.
However, the Associated Press reported that Kristi Noem, the head of Homeland Security, said travelers who are not REAL ID compliant by Wednesday’s deadline will still be able to fly — but should be prepared for extra scrutiny.
Those who do not have an identification that complies with the REAL ID law “may be diverted to a different line, have an extra step,” Noem said.
“But people will be allowed to fly,” she said. “We will make sure it’s as seamless as possible.”
A spokesperson for Homeland Security shared the following statement:
“TSA will enforce REAL ID and ensure there is no impact to wait times or TSA screening applications, especially for those passengers who are prepared with their REAL ID, passport or other acceptable form of ID. Passengers who present a state-issued identification that is not REAL ID compliant at TSA checkpoints and who do not have another acceptable alternative form of ID will be notified of their non-compliance, may be directed to a separate area and may receive additional screening.”
A spokesperson for the Washington State Department of Licensing, Thomas Charlson, said the long lines at the DOL offices may not go away for weeks or even months.
“We don’t know when we’ll see some relief at our driver licensing offices in the foreseeable future. We do have appointments booked out either 45 or 60 days in advance in our urban areas,” he added.
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