By james art Charleston, W.VA. – Do you have a gold star on your driver’s license in West Virginia? If not, there is still time to get your real driver’s license compatible with ID with this star. But it is better to get it earlier than later.
People who want to get on a home flight airplane will soon need a real ID driver’s license. If their driver’s license is not actually compatible with ID, they will need another form of approved identification, such as a passport, to get on their flight or to enter a secure federal facility or military base. The real ID driver’s license has a small star on it that shows that it meets the federal regulations that set minimum security standards.
Real ID comes into force on May 7, 2025 and the countdown is included!
“Real ID is a coordinated effort by the federal government to improve the reliability and accuracy of driving licenses and identification cards,” says John K. Allen, Federal Security Director of TSA for West Virginia. “Improvements are intended to prevent terrorists’ ability to avoid detection by using fraudulent identification.”
Western Virginia residents have the opportunity to upgrade to a true identifier or can stick to the older standard driver’s license. However, a standard letter of credit – without the star – will not be valid to board an internal flight or gain access to secure federal facilities, including military bases and some federal services.
In order to receive a real -time compatible license, people will have to personally visit the local office of the Motor Vehicle Division in West Virginia (DMV) and submit certain documents to prove the US citizenship and the Western Virginia residence. Or they can go online to the DMV Real ID Headstart page to upload documents to speed up the licensing process. The necessary documents include one proof of identity (passport or birth certificate in the US), proof of legal presence for non -US citizens, two evidence of residence in West Virginia, your social security card (if you are issued) and the current driver’s A booklet if you are applying for an exchange issued by another country in the United States.
The Transport Security Administration employees, which staff for checking ticket documents at airport number of 2005), which is appointing that a true identification number is needed for the purposes of federal identification. TSA can phase in implementation, starting on May 7, 2025 and if so, TSA will post these details on its website.
Travelers will notice airport signs across the country to remind people that true licenses corresponding to ID or other acceptable forms of ID, such as a valid passport, will be mandatory for airplanes starting on May 7, 2025.
For more information and details on how to get a true ID -compatible driver’s license or ID, visit https://transportation.wv.gov/dmv/pages/default.aspx.
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