The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has extended the REAL ID full enforcement date from May 3, 2023 to May 7, 2025

"SAYING IT WANTED to alert the public, the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles late Monday announced that the US Department of Homeland Security has extended the REAL ID enforcement date from May 3, 2023 to May 7, 2025.

The extension means that beginning on May 7, 2025, air travelers 18 years of age and older will need a REAL ID compliant driver’s license or ID card, or another TSA-acceptable form of identification, such as a passport, for domestic air travel and to enter certain federal facilities.

“The Registry continues to assist any residents seeking a REAL ID credential even though the federal government has extended the full enforcement date until May 7, 2025,” said Registrar Colleen Ogilvie. “While federal REAL ID travel requirements won’t take effect for a few years, and customers with a valid US passport may never need a REAL ID, the RMV and our partners at AAA stand ready to accommodate and provide plenty of time for customers to take advantage of a REAL ID upgrade.”

Continue reading the article online at CommonWealth Magazine ->

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/transportation/real-id-deadline-pushed-back-to-2025/ 

Visit the Registry of Motor Vehicles page for additional info on Read ID

https://www.mass.gov/guides/massachusetts-identification-id-requirements

https://www.mass.gov/guides/real-id

"Mass. drivers have another two years to get a Real ID"

 

"The long-awaited federal deadline to get a new type of driver’s license or state identification that can be used to board domestic flights has been extended again, this time until May 2023.

The Department of Homeland Security on Tuesday announced the 19-month extension from the current deadline of October, 2021. At that point, so-called Real IDs, which are issued by states but adhere to federal guidelines to verify personal information, will become the only type of driver’s license accepted to board US flights.

The rule dates back to the post-9/11 period, but had already been pushed back from its October 2020 deadline, as officials last year cited the coronavirus pandemic."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/04/27/metro/mass-drivers-have-another-two-years-get-real-id/ 

Info on the documentation needed to get the Real ID can be found on the RMV page (Note, they have not yet updated the date change to reflect the new delay to 2023).  https://www.mass.gov/lists/information-for-the-real-id

Sample of a Massachusetts Real ID license from the RMV website

In the News: No rush to get a ReadID

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Massachusetts residents planning to renew their driver’s licenses in the new year may want to consider getting a Real ID, as 2019 marks the final year before the long-anticipated IDs will be required for domestic flights and to enter federal buildings. 

Getting the new IDs, however, isn’t quite as simple as before. 

The state started issuing the new identification cards in March 2018 and through November the Registry of Motor Vehicles had issued 474,406 Real IDs, according to a spokeswoman with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. But not everyone is jumping at the opportunity. 

Nearly 689,000 residents opted to stick with the standard ID during the same time period, and while it’s difficult to know exactly why residents choose one ID over the other – especially considering the cost is the same – getting a Real ID is definitely more complicated."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20181209/no-rush-to-real-id-in-massachusetts

Check the MA RMV site for info on the ReadID process and documentation requirements
https://www.mass.gov/decision-tree/real-id-real-answers-a-tool-to-help-you-determine-if-you-need-a-real-id

No rush to get a ReadID

"October 2020, you will be asked for a passport or REAL ID"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"People who want to travel on planes throughout the United States will soon need a passport or what is being called a Real ID. 

Beginning on March 26, the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles will offer Real IDs, although they will not be required for travel until October 2020. 

The Real ID is a security standard created by the federal government in 2005 as part of measures after the 9-11 terrorist attacks. 

Everyone who is eligible for a Massachusetts driver’s license can obtain them, but there will be more stringent requirements, RMV spokeswoman Judith Reardon Riley said. "

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180117/with-nod-toward-greater-security-registry-to-begin-issuing-real-ids

https://www.mass.gov/guides/real-id

For additional info check out the Mass.gov site for Real ID
https://www.mass.gov/guides/real-id