BATON ROUGE -- Governor John Bel Edwards signed a new law Tuesday putting Louisiana in compliance with the federal Real ID act. The law gives drivers the option of getting a driver's licensed with enhanced security features or a traditional license.
Karen St. Germain, Commissioner of the Office of Motor Vehicles, said she hopes to have REAL ID licenses ready to go by Sept. 1, 2016.
The REAL ID Act establishes minimum standards for state-issued driver's licenses and identification. Under REAL ID and federal rules, beginning in 2018 residents of states whose licenses and ID cards fail to meet REAL ID standards will have to show a federally recognized form of identification to board a domestic flight.
Louisiana obtained an extension from this requirement that lasts through October 2016. Beginning in 2020, every air traveler will need a REAL ID compliant license to fly, either issued by the state or federal government.
Because the final date for the requirement to have a REAL ID-compliant credential is 2020 there will be approximately three years for OMV to assist all customers who request a compliant credential. For those who currently hold a valid driver’s license or ID, there is no need to immediately replace that credential to board a plane.
All information regarding Louisiana’s implementation of REAL ID will be posted on OMV’s website at www.expresslane.org and on social media forums.
