Real ID 10/2020 Deadline: Best ID to Carry? DL? GE? Passport?
Jan 20, 2019, 10:59 pm
#1
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Real ID 10/2020 Deadline: Best ID to Carry? DL? GE? Passport?
In October 2020, Real ID compliant identification must be shown at airports in the US. What is the best to carry?
a. driver's license - small, no additional costs (disclaimer: some states are just starting to or haven't yet issued Real ID compliant driver's licenses. This may cause people to have non-compliant ID unless they get a new driver's license or, if in NY/VT/MI/MN/WA, get a more expensive enhanced driver's license.
drawback - don't lose it or you can't rent a car on a trip
a2. in a few states, an enhanced DL or yet to be (or just recently) issued new DL is needed. - small
drawback - additional costs, especially if current DL is not expiring now. Also need to not lose if renting a car.
b. passport - big, if you lose it, you can still use your driver's license to rent a car. Large size may cause wear and damage to your passport.
c. passport card - additional cost but small, don't need to rent a car so lost is not a problem with car rental companies
d. Global Entry, Sentri, or Nexus - small, don't need to rent a car so lost is not a problem
drawback - is currently unfamiliar at some airports. I tried and the screener had to close the lane and ask a supervisor if the card was acceptable.
----
I can't figure out what to do. I think it's
1st choice. use your DL if Real ID compliant
2nd choice. use your Global Entry, Sentri, or Nexus if don't have Real ID compliant DL
3rd choice: use passport
4th choice: if DL is not Real ID compliant, buy a new DL that is (or in a few states, buy the Real ID compliant DL)
5th choice: buy a passport card
a. driver's license - small, no additional costs (disclaimer: some states are just starting to or haven't yet issued Real ID compliant driver's licenses. This may cause people to have non-compliant ID unless they get a new driver's license or, if in NY/VT/MI/MN/WA, get a more expensive enhanced driver's license.
drawback - don't lose it or you can't rent a car on a trip
a2. in a few states, an enhanced DL or yet to be (or just recently) issued new DL is needed. - small
drawback - additional costs, especially if current DL is not expiring now. Also need to not lose if renting a car.
b. passport - big, if you lose it, you can still use your driver's license to rent a car. Large size may cause wear and damage to your passport.
c. passport card - additional cost but small, don't need to rent a car so lost is not a problem with car rental companies
d. Global Entry, Sentri, or Nexus - small, don't need to rent a car so lost is not a problem
drawback - is currently unfamiliar at some airports. I tried and the screener had to close the lane and ask a supervisor if the card was acceptable.
----
I can't figure out what to do. I think it's
1st choice. use your DL if Real ID compliant
2nd choice. use your Global Entry, Sentri, or Nexus if don't have Real ID compliant DL
3rd choice: use passport
4th choice: if DL is not Real ID compliant, buy a new DL that is (or in a few states, buy the Real ID compliant DL)
5th choice: buy a passport card
Jan 20, 2019, 11:02 pm
#2
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Passport card. It's good to have an additional photo ID anyway, and this is cheap and easy if requested with your passport renewal. I *like* the fact that the passport card does not show your home address.
Jan 21, 2019, 7:05 am
#3
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: FRA
Posts: 229
For me, as much redundancy as possible would be good. I have a passport, passport card and DL. I would likely get an enhanced license if it were offered, and of course if I needed GE or somethings similar, I would get it. I would also try to stagger the passport and passport card applications to ensure a valid passport when one or the other expires, instead of having both expire on the same date.
I keep my passport card and DL in my wallet, and my passport is at home. With an enhanced DL, I'm not sure whether I'd carry the passport card. I show the passport card everywhere I can at the moment.
I keep my passport card and DL in my wallet, and my passport is at home. With an enhanced DL, I'm not sure whether I'd carry the passport card. I show the passport card everywhere I can at the moment.
Jan 21, 2019, 10:33 am
#5
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 189
Is this really still happening much? The only id I ever use at the airport is my Nexus card, and I've never had anyone (from check-in agents to TSA) question it being a valid id.
Jan 21, 2019, 11:10 am
#6
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,526
In October 2020, Real ID compliant identification must be shown at airports in the US. What is the best to carry?
a. driver's license - small, no additional costs (disclaimer: some states are just starting to or haven't yet issued Real ID compliant driver's licenses. This may cause people to have non-compliant ID unless they get a new driver's license or, if in NY/VT/MI/MN/WA, get a more expensive enhanced driver's license.
drawback - don't lose it or you can't rent a car on a trip
a2. in a few states, an enhanced DL or yet to be (or just recently) issued new DL is needed. - small
drawback - additional costs, especially if current DL is not expiring now. Also need to not lose if renting a car.
b. passport - big, if you lose it, you can still use your driver's license to rent a car. Large size may cause wear and damage to your passport.
c. passport card - additional cost but small, don't need to rent a car so lost is not a problem with car rental companies
d. Global Entry, Sentri, or Nexus - small, don't need to rent a car so lost is not a problem
drawback - is currently unfamiliar at some airports. I tried and the screener had to close the lane and ask a supervisor if the card was acceptable.
----
I can't figure out what to do. I think it's
1st choice. use your DL if Real ID compliant
2nd choice. use your Global Entry, Sentri, or Nexus if don't have Real ID compliant DL
3rd choice: use passport
4th choice: if DL is not Real ID compliant, buy a new DL that is (or in a few states, buy the Real ID compliant DL)
5th choice: buy a passport card
a. driver's license - small, no additional costs (disclaimer: some states are just starting to or haven't yet issued Real ID compliant driver's licenses. This may cause people to have non-compliant ID unless they get a new driver's license or, if in NY/VT/MI/MN/WA, get a more expensive enhanced driver's license.
drawback - don't lose it or you can't rent a car on a trip
a2. in a few states, an enhanced DL or yet to be (or just recently) issued new DL is needed. - small
drawback - additional costs, especially if current DL is not expiring now. Also need to not lose if renting a car.
b. passport - big, if you lose it, you can still use your driver's license to rent a car. Large size may cause wear and damage to your passport.
c. passport card - additional cost but small, don't need to rent a car so lost is not a problem with car rental companies
d. Global Entry, Sentri, or Nexus - small, don't need to rent a car so lost is not a problem
drawback - is currently unfamiliar at some airports. I tried and the screener had to close the lane and ask a supervisor if the card was acceptable.
----
I can't figure out what to do. I think it's
1st choice. use your DL if Real ID compliant
2nd choice. use your Global Entry, Sentri, or Nexus if don't have Real ID compliant DL
3rd choice: use passport
4th choice: if DL is not Real ID compliant, buy a new DL that is (or in a few states, buy the Real ID compliant DL)
5th choice: buy a passport card
Jan 21, 2019, 11:45 am
#7
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Baltimore, MD USA
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Posts: 4,331
Another vote here for the passport card. It's usefulness is not limited to transiting TSA checkpoints; I am not a frequent traveler as most FTers are, but I have found my passport card very useful in a number of other situations where I need a second form of photo ID - it's issued by the federal government, and is RealID compliant, so it's acceptable to all sorts of government agencies and private companies. And as several others have mentioned above, it doesn't have your home address on it, which is a plus to me. It's also wallet-size, and laminated as tough as a DL, so it'll take a beating and won't dissolve if it gets wet.
Jan 21, 2019, 10:45 pm
#9
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Another vote here for the passport card. It's usefulness is not limited to transiting TSA checkpoints; I am not a frequent traveler as most FTers are, but I have found my passport card very useful in a number of other situations where I need a second form of photo ID - it's issued by the federal government, and is RealID compliant, so it's acceptable to all sorts of government agencies and private companies. And as several others have mentioned above, it doesn't have your home address on it, which is a plus to me. It's also wallet-size, and laminated as tough as a DL, so it'll take a beating and won't dissolve if it gets wet.
I use my passport card not only for TSA, in airport lounges, and to prove I'm old enough to drink alcohol, but also for domestic hotel check in and to carry with me in the hotel if I think there's a chance of my keycard not working (for example, when I have a late checkout or multiple sequential reservations) and as an ID to have on my person in places (such as Rio) where I don't carry my wallet or passport, etc. In addition, I've used the passport card as my ID when paying by credit card in Buenos Aires grocery stores, etc. It's very useful and probably the least inconvenient form of ID to lose.
However, IIRC it's cheaper to renew the passport and passport card at the same time and since the passport card (essentially) cannot be used for international travel, I wouldn't arrange for the passport and passport card to expire at different times. I tend to renew both very quickly at my local passport office, which can be done even faster if you have proof of immediate travel or travel which requires visa applications.
However, IIRC it's cheaper to renew the passport and passport card at the same time and since the passport card (essentially) cannot be used for international travel, I wouldn't arrange for the passport and passport card to expire at different times. I tend to renew both very quickly at my local passport office, which can be done even faster if you have proof of immediate travel or travel which requires visa applications.
Jan 22, 2019, 1:39 pm
#10
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This presumes that there ever comes a day when a non-compliant DL really is unacceptable for travel (let's just pretend), I would still travel with the DL because I always carry it. I also have a passport book, passport card, and GE card. I travel with the passport card and have the passport book (& GE as backup) for international.
It is always good to have a secondary piece of IDand the passport card only costs $25 above the passport book fee.
But, this is nothing to worry about yet.
It is always good to have a secondary piece of IDand the passport card only costs $25 above the passport book fee.
But, this is nothing to worry about yet.
Jan 25, 2019, 7:47 am
#11
Join Date: May 2011
Location: San Antonio, TX
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Posts: 1,863
If I had it all do over again I would opt for the passport card. Got a case of the cheaps a couple of years ago when we renewed our passports and decided not to spend the money. At the time both my wife and I had an active DoD ID, driver’s licenses, and passports so I didn’t see the need. I have since retired and while wife is still with DoD and has that ID card I don’t. That said I still have my passport and driver’s license, which is compliant and acceptable, so it’s not like I don’t have sufficient identification. Quite frankly I don’t share the concern that a TSA agent is going to memorize my address off my driver’s license and be involved in some theft ring that is going to break into my house while I’m gone. If that happens it more likely would involve airline personnel than TSA.
Jan 27, 2019, 10:22 pm
#12
Moderator: Manufactured Spending
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 6,578
I have no intention of getting REAL ID, since I don't like the feds sticking their nose into local matters like driver's licenses. The rationale behind the REAL ID Act (9/11 terrorists having multiple IDs from different states) is also long irrelevant.
I will use my passport book when traveling internationally and passport card or GE card when traveling domestically.
This is assuming that the deadline doesn't get extended again, for the 8th time or whatever they are on. October 1, 2020 is the month before a presidential and congressional election. I doubt the administration will want to upset the public at that time. Chaos at airports got Trump to end the shutdown, so I doubt he will want chaos at airports right before he is up for re-election.
I assume TSA will still allow people to board without acceptable ID after going through extra screening and identity verification through credit databases, just as they do today, so that should address the constitutional issues.
I will use my passport book when traveling internationally and passport card or GE card when traveling domestically.
This is assuming that the deadline doesn't get extended again, for the 8th time or whatever they are on. October 1, 2020 is the month before a presidential and congressional election. I doubt the administration will want to upset the public at that time. Chaos at airports got Trump to end the shutdown, so I doubt he will want chaos at airports right before he is up for re-election.
I assume TSA will still allow people to board without acceptable ID after going through extra screening and identity verification through credit databases, just as they do today, so that should address the constitutional issues.
Jan 29, 2019, 6:02 am
#13
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I signed up for a 3 month trial CLEAR (free!) membership. I was flying on DL JFK-ZRH (out of T4 which has clear). Once I cleared CLEAR
I bypassed the TSA P/C agent and went straight to the security line. So CLEAR (though expensive if you don't have any discounts) is another option..
I bypassed the TSA P/C agent and went straight to the security line. So CLEAR (though expensive if you don't have any discounts) is another option..
Jan 29, 2019, 9:38 pm
#14
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If I had it all do over again I would opt for the passport card. Got a case of the cheaps a couple of years ago when we renewed our passports and decided not to spend the money. At the time both my wife and I had an active DoD ID, driver’s licenses, and passports so I didn’t see the need. I have since retired and while wife is still with DoD and has that ID card I don’t. That said I still have my passport and driver’s license, which is compliant and acceptable, so it’s not like I don’t have sufficient identification. Quite frankly I don’t share the concern that a TSA agent is going to memorize my address off my driver’s license and be involved in some theft ring that is going to break into my house while I’m gone. If that happens it more likely would involve airline personnel than TSA.
The second time, I was following the advice of a TSO who posted on here. I had a copy of her PM with me. It went badly, they took the copy of her PM and copies of my BP and DL.
The last time, a TSO hurt me badly during a blue-gloved hands-on exercise and I cried out involuntarily. Without going into it, I asked for the police to come and witness the second full-body exercise to protect myself. My bags were out of sight, of course. I turned around just in time to see another TSO putting my BP and ID back in my bag and holding the copies he had just made in his hand. No one said anything about a 'report' on that occasion, but I'm sure there was one because I asked for the police.
(note: I always lock my BP and ID in my carry-on post-ID check now. If anyone is opening my bag for any reason, they're going to have to deal with a lock. It's the only way I can guarantee they'll do it in front of me).
I don't like anyone having my personal information unless I choose to give it to them. There's no doubt in my mind that if I had been using a passport or passport card, that is the document they would have copied. Proof of home address isn't required to fly - yet.
Last edited by chollie; Jan 29, 2019 at 10:07 pm