As the deadline approaches, Senator Scott Newman (R-Hutchinson), chair of the Senate Transportation Finance and Policy Committee, is reminding residents of District 18 to apply for a REAL ID. Beginning October 1, 2020, federal law will require all citizens to use federally complaint identification, such as a REAL ID, Enhanced ID, or an unexpired passport, to board airplanes, enter federal buildings, or visit military bases.

“If you are one of the millions of Minnesotans without a REAL ID, the deadline is rapidly approaching. The time to prepare is now; if you wait, it might be too late,” said Senator Newman. “The department is currently advising people that the current wait time for the compliant REAL ID is between 90 and 120 days. Simply put: just get it done. If you choose to procrastinate, there is no guarantee you will even be able to get a REAL ID by the October 1 deadline.”

On Friday, officials with the state’s Department of Public Safety Driver and Vehicle Services Division testified before the Joint Legislative Driver and Vehicle Systems Oversight Committee about the progress of REAL ID implementation. According to the department, of the more than four million Minnesotans with state-issued identification, only 330,000 have obtained a REAL ID and 259,000 have obtained an enhanced ID. Approximately half of Minnesotans have a valid passport, according to state officials. In 2017, the Minnesota Legislature passed a bill to bring the state’s identification cards into compliance with federal REAL ID standards.

Compared to the state’s standard identification cards, federal law requires individuals to provide additional documentation to be approved for a REAL ID. A full list of required documents can be found on the Department of Public Safety’s website. The department is also urging people to complete the online pre-application before visiting a Driver and Vehicle Services location, which also provides a comprehensive list of required documentation.

“If you plan to get on an airplane after October 1, you need to get it done,” said Senator Newman.

Senator Scott Newman represents communities in McLeod, Meeker, Sibley, and Wright counties in the Minnesota Senate. He serves as chair of the Senate Transportation Finance and Policy Committee.