REAL ID ‘Crisis’: What You Need To Know In Wisconsin

MILWAUKEE, WI — A trade group that represents the commercial airport industry has proclaimed a “crisis” on the REAL ID program and is calling on Congress to extend the Oct. 1 deadline for compliance.

The clock is ticking on the deadline for Wisconsin and other U.S. residents to get their REAL ID driver licenses and identification cards if they want to travel by air.

The Airports Council-North America, which represents commercial airports in the United States and Canada, has asked the federal government to extend the deadline amid concerns that two-thirds of driver’s licenses held by Americans aren’t REAL ID-compliant.

What It Means In Wisconsin

• If it's time to renew your driver license or ID, you can upgrade to a REAL ID-compliant card for no additional fee (if the upgrade takes place at the same time as your renewal).
• If your current driver license or ID will not expire before 2020, and you wish to obtain a REAL ID-compliant card, the cost of a duplicate card will apply.
• Wisconsin offers both REAL ID-compliant and non-compliant driver licenses and ID cards. The The REAL ID Act was passed after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks to establish minimum security standards for state-issued driver's licenses and identification cards. REAL ID driver's licenses and state identification cards have a gold star in the top right corner to indicate they comply with federal rules.

To obtain a REAL ID-compliant driver license or ID card in Wisconsin, applicants must present additional documentation when you apply. The document categories include:

• Proof of Name and Date of Birth
• Proof of Legal Presence in the U.S.
• Proof of Identity
• Proof of Name Change (if applicable)
• Proof of Social Security Number
• Proof of Address

Kevin M. Burke, the president and CEO of the airport industry trade group, warned of travel disruptions if the REAL ID deadline isn’t extended.

“If the government doesn’t make a definitive statement now that they’re going to extend this, then we’re going to have a real crisis on our hands come Oct. 1,” Burke told NBC News.

Data from the Department of Homeland Security shows states have issued more than 95 million REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses and identification cards.

If travelers haven’t obtained them by Oct. 1, they won’t be able to board flights, and that could disrupt their lives and airline operations, as well, Burke said.

The REAL ID law was passed by Congress after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Four pieces of identification are required to obtain a REAL ID: a passport or birth certificate, a Social Security card or tax return, and two documents proving proof of residence, such as a mortgage or rental receipt and a utility bill.

As the deadline looms, motor vehicle offices are scrambling to keep up with the number of people requesting the REAL IDs, the NBC News report said.