Iowa receives extension for REAL ID requirements
AMES, Iowa – The Iowa Department of Transportation (Iowa DOT) has taken the first step to becoming REAL ID compliant. The REAL ID Act of 2005 required the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to establish minimum standards for state-issued driver's licenses and identification cards that federal agencies would accept for official purposes on or after May 11, 2008. T he Act defined "official purposes" as access to federal facilities, boarding federally-regulated commercial aircraft, entry into nuclear power plants, and other purposes to be defined by the secretary of DHS. The rules associated with this legislation also allow states to request an extension of the May 11 date.
The Iowa DOT requested an extension and that extension was granted on Wednesday, Jan. 30, by the DHS. This means that Iowans will be able to continue to use their current Iowa driver's licenses or non-operator identification cards to board commercial aircraft and for other official federal purposes through at least Dec. 31, 2009. The rules provide the opportunity for a second extension as well.
In recognition of the fact that some individuals may not want or need a REAL ID, when Iowa DOT implements the REAL ID requirements and can issue a REAL ID compliant driver's license or non-operator identification card, Iowa will also continue to issue driver's licenses and non-operator identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant. Iowans will be able to choose whether to apply for a REAL ID compliant or non-compliant document.