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When members or potential members visit your credit union, you may start noticing (if you haven’t already) that they have replaced their traditional driver’s licenses with new licenses that are compliant with REAL ID. That’s because the State of Maine began offering REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses and state identification cards beginning on July 1, 2019.
What Is REAL ID?
REAL ID was developed through legislation (The REAL ID Act), which was passed by Congress in 2005. The bill establishes minimum security standards for license issuance and production, and requires federal facilities and commercial airports to only accept identification that meets these security standards. REAL ID licenses are not mandatory, but the Department of Homeland Security will begin enforcing REAL ID requirements as of October 1, 2020.
How REAL ID Impacts Mainers
Until the October 2020 deadline, regular Maine driver’s licenses and state identification cards will be accepted as valid identification for federal purposes. This provides Maine residents a window of 14 months to obtain the new credentials, if they choose to do so, before they are required by federal facilities.
Beginning October 1, 2020, those who choose to have a regular license, which is not compliant with REAL ID, will need to produce a passport or another acceptable identity document for federal purposes that require identification. Visit the Transportation Security Administration’s website for more information about acceptable travel identification documents.
Those who currently have a valid Maine driver’s license or state identification card will not be required to renew it prior to its expiration date, unless they choose to do so because they desire/need a REAL ID-compliant credential. Upon renewal, residents will be able to get a REAL ID-compliant credential or opt out.
What Is Not Impacted by REAL ID?
There are many areas that will remain unaffected by this change. REAL ID does not impact:
- Accessing banking services (non-REAL ID licenses are still valid and financial institutions, including credit unions, can and should accept them);
- Entering federal facilities that do not require a person to present identification;
- Applying for, or receiving, federal benefits;
- Being licensed by a state to drive;
- Accessing health or life-preserving services (including hospitals and health clinics), law enforcement, or constitutionally protected activities (including a defendant’s access to court proceedings); and
- Participating in law enforcement proceedings or investigations.
More Information on REAL ID
Visit the Maine Department of the Secretary of State’s website for more information, including an animation, frequently asked questions, a brochure about REAL ID, and the history of REAL ID implementation in Maine.