ASHLAND, Ky. (WSAZ) — Beginning in 2018, flying could become more difficult for Kentucky residents.
Kentucky driver’s licenses are not compliant with the REAL ID Act, and the state has not been granted an extension to become compliant.
The REAL ID Act established minimum security standards for license issuance and production. It prohibits federal agencies from accepting driver’s licenses and identification cards from states not meeting the act’s minimum standards.
According to the Transportation Security Administration, the idea is to have high security standards for driver’s licenses so that they are not as likely to be counterfeited due to all of the extra security measures that are “built into” the new enhanced driver’s licenses.
Participation by states is voluntary, although federal agencies are prohibited from accepting driver’s licenses or identification cards from non-compliant states for official purposes. That includes boarding a plane, accessing federal facilities and entering nuclear power plants.
Travelers will need the REAL ID licenses starting Jan. 22, 2018 –13 months from now — for passage through TSA checkpoints.
Kentucky is currently considered a non-compliant state. As of Jan. 30, 2017, you cannot access federal agencies and nuclear power plants with a Kentucky driver’s license.
Kentucky’s request for a one-year extension to come into compliance with federal regulations was denied by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in October.
“It’s disappointing that the federal government is basically turning a blind eye to recent progress we’ve made in improving our systems,” said John-Mark Hack, commissioner of the Department of Vehicle Regulation. “All Kentuckians should be aware that the immediate impact of this decision will not be felt by the vast majority of Kentuckians. We can still use our driver licenses and state ID cards to visit the Social Security offices, Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities, federal courts houses and to apply for federal benefits like Medicare.”
The REAL ID Act was passed by Congress in 2005 by the 9/11 Commission, but regulations were not published until January 2008.
According to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, Kentucky is compliant with most of the provisions necessary to be deemed REAL ID compliant. The KTC says the main area of non-compliance is related to the state’s current system of issuance. Kentucky has a highly decentralized model that allows residents to obtain a driver’s license over the counter at a Circuit Court Clerk Office.
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet says that the state plans to request approval to modernize its driver’s license and ID issuance system from the Kentucky General Assembly during the January 2017 legislative session.
Both Ohio and West Virginia are in compliance with the REAL ID law and you can get a federal ID.
To obtain a federal ID you will need to bring one proof of identity, one document with proof of your Social Security number, two proofs of residency in the state with your name and address and if it applies, proof of a legal name change to your DMV. You can contact your local DMV or go online to find examples of what will work as proof for each of these requirements.
Other states that are not compliant are Maine, Montana, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania and South Carolina.