TSA to enforce REAL ID requirement starting Wednesday

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Example photo of a Kansas REAL ID Associated Press / Photo by Kansas Department of Revenue, file

TSA to enforce REAL ID requirement starting Wednesday

The Transportation Security Administration on Wednesday will no longer accept traditional driver’s licenses as valid identification for domestic air travel. The Department of Homeland Security will start requiring travelers to present identification that meets REAL ID requirements, as denoted by a gold star in the upper right-hand corner. REAL ID is meant to provide a higher level of security by requiring more documentation than a driver's license. Lawmakers first passed the REAL ID ACT in 2005 as a means to beef up airport security after the 9/11 terror attacks. REAL IDs are harder to forge and protect against criminals and terrorists, Defense Secretary Kristi Noem said before the ID deadline.

What happens if I don’t have a REAL ID? Noem told a Congressional panel on Tuesday that over 80 percent of travelers have IDs that meet REAL ID specifications. Those without them will still be able to fly Wednesday but can expect extra scrutiny, she said.

People without REAL IDs can still fly but will need to present another type of authorized TSA documentation, like a passport. Passengers without a REAL ID may be taken to a separate area for additional screening, according to TSA. People without a REAL ID or an acceptable alternative may enter security checkpoints once their identity is verified via name and address, TSA added.

Will all my information be in a REAL ID database? While the federal government enacted the necessity for a REAL ID and set the requirements to obtain one, individual states still maintain the data and records around IDs. The federal government will not be collecting or storing data from people's REAL IDs, according to DHS. Nevertheless, some organizations such as the Electronic Frontier Foundation and the ACLU have expressed concerns about a loss of privacy.

Dig deeper: Read Elizabeth Russell’s previous report for more background on the REAL ID. Also, listen to Mary Muncy’s report on The World and Everything in It about locals flocking to DMVs to get IDs before the deadline.