Countdown to REAL ID

Updated:  March 4, 2011

On March 4, 2011, U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano extended by 20 months  (to January 15, 2013) the May 10, 2011 deadline for states to be in full compliance with the Real ID.  

Under the REAL ID state-issued driver's licenses and identification cards have to meet federal standards or they will not be accepted for federal purposes--boarding commercial aircraft, gain access to federal facilities or enter nuclear power plants.

 Background Information - The Act, Regulations, Implementation Guidance and Award Announcements

• History of the REAL ID Act 
• Full Text of Title II of the REAL ID Act of 2005 
• DHS Final Regulations to Implement the REAL ID 
• 18 Interim Benchmarks 
• DHS Privacy Impact Assessment on the Final Regulations - Jan. 11, 2008
• DHS information bulletin on 2009 REAL ID Demonstration Grant Awards
• DHS FY 2009 REAL ID Grant Guidance (includes table with state by state allocations) 
• DHS FY 2010 REAL ID Grant Guidance (Inlucdes table with state by state allocations)
• DHS FY 2011 REAL ID Grant Guidance (includes table with state by state allocations)

Federal Legislation to Amend the REAL ID

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

112th Congress

No legislation is currently pending to amend the REAL ID. (February 25, 2011)

Analysis of the REAL ID

• Joint NCSL/NGA/AAMVA National Impact Analysis 
• Costs to the States 
• NCSL Summaries & Analysis 
• NCSL Legisbrief 

State Responses

• Database of State Legislation 
• Summary of State Legislative Activity

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  

NCSL Policy, Testimony and Correspondence

• 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