Deadline For REAL ID Extended Once Again in Maine

Suddenly, once again, there is no real rush to obtain a REAL ID here in Maine or anywhere else for that matter.

Back in 2005, Congress created the REAL ID Act to create a secure identification process used in order to board airplanes and have access to places like military facilities and whatnot.

Here in Maine the Act was to be implemented back in early 2020, but due to the Department of Motor Vehicles across the state and the country closing up shop because of the nasty COVID-19 pandemic, residents were given until October 1st of this year to obtain one.

Now, the Department of Homeland Security has extended the deadline another 19 months, until May 3rd, 2023.

“Protecting the health, safety, and security of our communities is our top priority,” said Secretary Mayorkas said on TSA.gov. “As our country continues to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, extending the REAL ID full enforcement deadline will give states needed time to reopen their driver’s licensing operations and ensure their residents can obtain a REAL ID-compliant license or identification card.”

Following May 3rd, 2023, everyone over 18 will have to have either a REAL ID driver's license or identification card in order to board a commercial airplane or to access certain federal facilities.

It's pretty simple to pick up a REAL ID at your local Maine Department of Motor Vehicles.  You can get one when you renew your license, or, just upgrade your license to a REAL ID.  There are certain documents that you must bring with you that day, including your birth certificate, Social Security #, and a couple of documents to prove your residency, like a utility bill or property tax statement.