Driver's license expiration date
 

A little background first.

I'm in Lousiana and my DL says it expires on my birthday 2004. When it comes time to renew, they send you a sticker that you apply on the back.

On both my Dh and mine, the stickers are up for renewal the latter half of this year and thus are "shot". Mine has rolled off completely; his is still there but you can't read some of the numbers.

Dh had a problem with this last time he flew. TSA screeners objected to two things: 1) they didn't like that the license said it was expired on the front and 2) they didn't like that they couldn't read all the numbers on the back (though you could clearly read the new expiration date... just not all the DL numbers on top of it). They seemed to have more of a problem that the front of the DL said it was expired.

Luckily, Dh has a concealed carry permit, and they accepted that identification, though they did have to consult with others on this.

I'm flying with my 3 kids in August, and obviously I plan to get a new sticker before I go. (I had recently gotten a speeding ticket and the state trooper didn't even care or mention it... he just called my info in and verified that it wasn't expired along with all the other stuff they call in for).

I'm just a little worried about the fact that the TSA apparently doesn't like the stickers on the back anyway and actually questioned Dh about it like they didn't believe the state would issue a sticker.

1) Do other states have this mailed new expiration sticker or is LA unusual in that aspect?

2) What do I do... what recourse do I have if TSA decides they dont' like my new sticker?

I don't want to borrow trouble, but since the TSA is just so stupid and tedious, I want to have at least an idea on how to handle this.

Thanks!

Move to Arizona
 

Arizona used to send out a sticker for DL renew as well. I used to put clear tape over it to keep it on.

Now, however, Arizona issues driver's licenses that expire on the 65th birthday. Since mine is good until 2028, you can be sure I made them retake my pic a few times to make sure it was a good one!

I love the look on people's faces when I travel, though. DL number, name, expiration date WHEN???

My issue isn't about license expiration - it's still good for the next several years - but I've moved since the license was issued and New York issues an updated address sticker to place on the back. TSA have had a problem with that. NYS charges the same as if I lost my license to get a replacement just because my address has changed (and the expiration does not change!).

While the license may be expired, it is a license to drive. We're flying, and not as the pilots. The fact that one's driving privileges are expired does not mean the ID is no longer valid, does it?

I wouldn't worry about it. They'll b*tch and moan and, in the end, let you fly.

This doesn't have to be distressing for you, but if you're in the right frame of mind, you can enjoy their distress. Just make sure that you get to the airport in plenty of time to enjoy the keystone cops show. :D

I think an expired license means the ID is invalid, or at least people take it that way.

Nevetheless, I solved this problem. I called the OMV and the lady said I could get a totally new license since I'm within 6 moths of mine expiring again. This will cost 21.00 and maybe an hour.... and it wont' say "duplicate" (which I'm sure is another TSA issue).

I wonder if these are new ones with no expiration date? I shall see....

Thanks everyone!

I should dig up my old AZ driver's license I had before I moved to CA for a few years (and now back to AZ). It was one of the early 65-expiry ones that was poorly printed (dot matrix or maybe typewriter style?) on paper and then sloppily laminated. It really looked like a bad fake, yet was totally legal! I'm sure TSA would give me a hard time about it now if I tried to use it.

I don't see why an expiration date on the driver's license should be an issue.

The driver's license is expired, so your permit to drive legally has lapsed. However your identity has not changed, so an expired license is still a government issued form of identification.

Ah here you are trying to add sanity and common sense to this process. Please don't bother, they are NOT listening.

I don't see why a government agent in a trumped up police uniform with a shiny badge should need to match a specified piece of picture ID to a home produced "travel document" in order to allow me to board a plane for a domestic flight, either, but this is where we are at in 2008.
It will just get worse until Americans decide they want their country back. :(

One little thing at a time so that the majority don't notice.

:(

Yeah, I like to tease the PAX about Arizona being the "land of the perpetual driver's license"! :)

For the past 5 or so years every time I head out of security and into a terminal you could hear me mutter under my breath "I want my country back.". It's become a mantra for me. The sad thing is that the indignities and trampling of rights by TSA is only the most obvious tip of the iceberg. Extraordinary renditions. Non-contestable detention. Illegal wiretapping. etc. etc.

I saw a bumper sticker the other day that conveys the idea wonderfully: "Bring back reality".

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only for senior citizens?? because i'd love to get my hands on one of these, but i'm not to keen on waiting 4 decades

With TSA's new ID requirements, a license can be expired for less than 12 months, and still be allowed. However, you wouldn't be able to buy a beer in the airport bar with an expired ID.