Countdown to REAL ID (December 31, 2009) [clock] On and after May 11, 2008, state driver's licenses and identification cards will not be accepted for federal purposes unless the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) determines that a state is compliant with the Real ID or a state has 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. DHS estimates the costs for states to implement the Real ID will not exceed $3.9 billion. To date, Congress has appropriated only $90 million to assist states with implementation of the Real ID, of which only $6 million has been obligated. The President's FY 2009 budget proposal included $50 million for federal verification system development and connectivity support.  The $50 million state-focused Real ID grant program created in FY2008 is zeroed out in favor of a new $110 million National Security and Terrorism Prevention Grant program.

Real ID: Federal Issues

Full Text of the Act History of the REAL ID Act Related Federal Legislation NCSL Policy on the Real ID Act DHS Real ID Grant Guidance DHS Final Regulations to Implement the Real ID DHS Privacy Impact Assessment on the Final Regulations NCSL Analysis on DHS Final Regulations to Implement the Real ID  NCSL President, Representative Donna Stone of Delaware, testifies on the Real ID before the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia

Real ID: State Issues

Database of State Legislation Costs to the States Real ID Act: National Impact Analysis (September 2006)

Real ID: Web Resources

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