The nation’s airports could turn into a chaotic mess for passengers if they miss the Oct. 1 deadline for acquiring the new Real ID driver’s license.
As of Oct. 1, the federal law requires airline passengers to present a Real ID-compliant driver’s license or ID card — which requires more proof of identification than regular licenses — at Transportation Security Administration checkpoints in airports.
So far, states — including Maryland, which has been Real ID-compliant since 2011 — have issued about 95 million Real IDs, meaning two-thirds of the population still need to upgrade theirs with just seven months to go.
The Airports Council International – North America, which represents the nation’s airports, warns of possibly thousands of stranded passengers who were denied boarding, NBC News reported.
Passengers without Real IDs will be required to present a passport, military ID or Global Entry card to pass through security, even for domestic flights.
