That seems a fair question, now that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has pushed the ‘we swear it’s really final’ date for enforcement back another two years to April 2025.
That’s the second extension in only a few months, and one of more than a dozen over the years. This extension means, if it happens, that the law will come into effect twenty years after Congress passed it in a bid to improve air travel security. Once in effect, it will be required for any flying.
Real ID is a set of specifications that include measures against counterfeiting, alteration, ‘insider fraud’ and using false documents to get an ID. Passports are already considered Real ID, along with federal employee ID cards. For most people, it means a state driver license with the enhanced features.
Homeland Security lays the blame for the latest delay on a continuing backup at state agencies resulting from long shutdowns during the pandemic.
