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By Nick Mordowanec
Staff Writer
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The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) says that starting May 7, even those who pay for PreCheck services must comply with mandatory REAL ID protocols.
Why It Matters
On May 7, all Americans traveling on domestic flights must have the new REAL ID to pass routine security protocols and board an airline. The update is 20 years in the making; Congress passed the REAL ID Act in 2005, following the 9/11 Commission's recommendation to apply a standardized identification system.
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Under the new regulations, standard driver's licenses will no longer be sufficient for travelers aged 18 and older. Residents of Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont and Washington who already have Enhanced Driver's Licenses (EDL) are exempt from requiring REAL ID for travel or to enter federal buildings or nuclear facilities.
What To Know
The TSA PreCheck program expedites traveler screening at more than 200 U.S. airports and is supported by 90-plus airlines. Passengers are not required to remove shoes, belts, 3-1-1 liquids (3.4 ounces per container, per quart-sized bag, one bag per person), laptops and light jackets.
U.S. citizens, U.S. lawful permanent residents, and citizens of partner countries enrolled in Global Entry, NEXUS or SENTRI are eligible to participate, in addition to Canadian citizens who are members of NEXUS. Children under age 17 are eligible if accompanied by an adult.
TSA says no individual is guaranteed expedited screening and that about 99 percent of PreCheck passengers wait 10 minutes or less to get through security.
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As the deadline looms, TSA says it's ready to implement REAL ID into routine screening.
"TSA has no concerns [about security wait times on and beyond May 7]," a TSA spokesperson told Newsweek. "State Department of Motor Vehicles have done a great job of preparing their residents for REAL ID implementation on May 7.
"Those who do not have a state-issued REAL ID or an acceptable form of ID should arrive at airports about three hours prior to a flight to ensure they get through security."
Asked if there is a concern about state-specific delays in providing REAL ID or what happens security-wise if people show up at the airport without proper identification, the TSA spokesperson reiterated that the three-hour pre-flight window should provide solutions for successfully getting through security in time to board.
TSA PreCheck membership maintains five years of eligibility and covers operational costs associated with background checks.
You do not need to get PreCheck if you already have Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, or hold an active Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) or Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with a Hazardous Materials Endorsement (HME).
Fees and renewal costs vary by enrollment provider, with TSA's main partners including CLEAR, Idemia and Telos. Right now, the average membership cost through Idemia is $76.75 for the initial five-year membership and either $58.75 (online) or $66.75 (in person) for renewals.
What People Are Saying
Department of Motor Vehicles Administrator Amy Joyce on April 7: "As the May 7 enforcement date approaches, we're seeing long lines and appointments can be hard to come by. Determine if you can wait to get a REAL ID until later in the year or when your card expires.
"If you are planning on flying in the next couple months and don't have a passport, make sure to bring in the correct documents so you can complete your transaction the first time. You can't get a REAL ID online, but you can do more than 20 other transactions, so avoid the lines by seeing if you can complete your service at DMV2U."
What Happens Next
To avoid delays at airport checkpoints, travelers flying on or after May 7 must arrive with their state-issued REAL ID or an acceptable form of ID from this list.
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