The Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles is reminding residents that the federal deadline for Real ID compliance is now one year away. By May 3, 2023, state-issued driver's licenses or ID cards must be Real ID compliant to be used for identification when boarding commercial aircraft or entering secure federal facilities.
Real ID is an optional program. The Transportation Security Administration will accept other forms of identification such as valid passports and U.S. military IDs at airports. To assist residents in determining whether to obtain a Real ID, the Nevada DMV has launched a website, GetRealNevada.com, which outlines the necessary documents.
"Check your license or ID card. If it has a gold star in the upper right corner, then you already have a Real ID and you're good to go," said DMV Director Julie Butler. "If not, visit GetRealNevada.com. Because Real ID is optional in Nevada, you get to decide if it is right for you."
As of March 31, 2022, approximately 71 percent of Nevada's non-commercial driver’s licenses are Real ID-compliant. This figure surpasses the national average of 49 percent reported by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
To upgrade to a Real ID, residents must visit a DMV office with proper proof of identity documents. Nevadans can combine their Real ID upgrade with other transactions like vehicle registration during their visit to avoid multiple trips.
Those without immediate DMV business are advised to complete their Real ID upgrade in 2022 to prevent last-minute congestion next year. Appointments can be scheduled through dmv.nv.gov/appointments.htm.
The presence of a gold star on a driver's license or state ID card indicates compliance with federal standards outlined in the Real ID Act of 2005. The Act aims to enhance security and combat terrorism and identity theft by setting standards for state-issued identifications.
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