Count Down to REAL ID

Following the deadline of May 11, 2008, state driver's licenses and identification cards were not to be accepted for federal purposes unless the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) determined that a state was compliant with the REAL ID or a state had been approved for an extension by the Secretary of DHS.

All 56 U.S. jurisdictions have received an initial extension from the Secretary of the DHS. The initial extension is valid until Dec. 31, 2009. By Oct. 11, 2009 states can apply for a second extension if they plan to be in compliance with the 18 interim benchmarks of the REAL ID by Jan. 1, 2010.

DHS estimates the costs for states to implement the REAL ID will not exceed $3.9 billion. To date, Congress has appropriated only $150 million to assist states with implementation of the REAL ID.

Federal Legislation to Amend the REAL ID

• Providing for Additional Security in States' Identification Act of 2009 (PASS ID Act)  
• REAL ID Repeal and Identificaton Security Enhancement Act of 2009

Federal Releases and Analysis

• Full Text of Title II of the REAL ID Act of 2005 
• Joint NCSL/NGA/AAMVA National Impact Analysis 
• Costs to the States 
• History of the REAL ID Act 
• 18 Interim Benchmarks 
• DHS FY 2008 REAL ID Grant Awards (state by state) 
• DHS FY 2008 REAL ID Grant Guidance 
• DHS FY 2009 REAL ID Grant Guidance 
• DHS Final Regulations to Implement the REAL ID 
• NCSL Summaries & Analysis 
• Legisbrief 
• DHS Privacy Impact Assessment on the Final Regulations - January 11, 2008

State Response

• NCSL Resolution on the PASS ID Act - July 2009 
• Database of State Legislation 
• Sumamry of State Legisaltive Activity
• NCSL Supports the Identification Security Enhancement Act of 2007 (S. 717) - April 4, 2008 
• NCSL President, Representative Donna Stone of Delaware, testifies before a U.S. Senate Subcommittee - April 29, 2008

Other Resources 

• American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators 
• National Commission on Terrorist Attacks upon the United States (9/11 Commission) 
• National Governors Association 
• U.S. Department of Homeland Security 
• U.S. Department of Homeland Security REAL ID Page 
• U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs 
• U.S. House Committee on the Judiciary