Montoursville, PA – With federal REAL ID enforcement just days away, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Secretary Mike Carroll, joined officials from the Williamsport Airport, and the American Automobile Association (AAA), to urge Pennsylvanians to make sure they’re prepared for upcoming air travel. These efforts reflect the Shapiro Administration’s commitment to ensuring residents have the information and opportunities they need to be ready for federal REAL ID enforcement.
Getting a REAL ID is optional in Pennsylvania, but beginning next Wednesday, May 7, travelers need to present a REAL ID driver’s license or ID card, or another form of federally-acceptable identification (such as a valid passport or military ID) to board a domestic commercial flight, and enter a military base or other federal facilities that require ID at the door. More than 2.8 million Pennsylvanians have gotten a REAL ID driver’s license or ID card since they became available in the state in 2019.
“People look forward to traveling with friends and family on vacation or business,” said Carroll. “But after next Wednesday, if you don’t have a REAL ID or a passport, you won’t be permitted to board a domestic flight. We’re strongly encouraging everyone to plan ahead for your travel needs before you arrive at the airport, especially if you already have flights planned for the summer.”
PennDOT is hosting a series of REAL ID Days at driver license centers across the commonwealth, when centers are typically closed. There were 10,200 customers served at the 57 sites that were open for REAL ID on April 28. Customers at most sites experienced an average wait time of less than 10 minutes with the statewide average for all sites combined around 25 minutes. The next REAL ID Day event will take place on May 5. A complete schedule of REAL ID Days events can be found on PennDOT’s website.So far, over 40,000 people have received their REAL IDs at these events since they began last October.
“I am very pleased to have PA Secretary of Transportation Mike Carroll come visit the Williamsport Regional Airport,” said Eric McKitish, IPT Executive Director. “We have nearly over a half million potential air travelers in our region, and communication with them regarding REAL ID is critical.”
If you're not sure whether a REAL ID is right for you, our REAL ID online wizard may be able to help. A passport is still needed for international travel.
“We don’t want anyone with current or future travel plans to be blindsided when they arrive at the airport and find out they and their families aren't allowed to fly,” said Nina Waskevich, Vice President, Brand and Membership, AAA North “We recommend that everybody stop and think if there will ever be any reason whatsoever that they think they would need to fly domestically, or enter a federal facility. If yes, don’t put REAL ID on hold.”
Federal REAL ID regulations require that PennDOT must verify the below documents:
- Proof of Identity: examples include an original or certified copy of a birth certificate filed with the State Office of Vital Records/Statistics with a raised/embossed seal, or a valid, unexpired U.S. Passport.
- Proof of Social Security Number (proof must display currently legal name and full nine digits of the Social Security Number): examples include a Social Security card, a W-2 form, a SSA-1099 form, a non-SSA-1099 form, or a pay stub.
- Two Proofs of Current, Physical PA Address: examples include a current, unexpired PA driver's license or identification card, vehicle registration, or a utility bill with the same name and address.
- Proof of all Legal Name Changes (if current legal name is different than what is reflected on proof of identity document): examples include certified marriage certificate(s) issued by the County Court for each marriage, court order(s) approving a change in legal name, or adoption decree issued by your county's family court.
- Note: If current name is the same as what is reflected on the proof of identity document (usually birth certificate or passport), proof of legal name change does not need to be shown.
More information about REAL ID document requirements can be found at pa.gov/REALID.
When a customer gets their first REAL ID, they will pay a one-time fee of $30, plus the renewal fee (the current renewal fee is $39.50 for a four-year non-commercial driver's license and $42.50 for a photo ID). The expiration date of their initial REAL ID will include any time remaining on their existing non-REAL ID, plus an additional four years, unless the customer is over 65 and has a two-year license. This expiration date structure means that the customer won't lose time that they've already paid for. After the initial REAL ID expires, the customer will pay no additional fee (beyond regular renewal fees) to renew a REAL ID.
Customers may visit one of PennDOT’s driver license centers, present the required documents and pay applicable fees and they will receive their REAL ID in the mail within 15 days. If they visit one of PennDOT’s REAL ID centers, they will receive their REAL ID at the time of service. For a full list of driver license centers, REAL ID Centers, and services offered, please visit the PennDOT Driver and Vehicle Services website and click on Find A Location.
Customers who received their first Pennsylvania driver's license, learner's permit, or photo ID card AFTER September 1, 2003, may already have their REAL ID documentation on file with PennDOT. These customers can apply for REAL ID pre-verification and order their REAL ID online
For more information on REAL ID, visit PennDOT’s REAL ID website.
Driver and vehicle online services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and include driver’s license, photo ID and vehicle registration renewals; driver-history services; changes of address; driver license and vehicle registration restoration letters; ability to pay driver license or vehicle insurance restoration fee; driver license and photo ID duplicates; REAL ID pre-verification; and driver exam scheduling. There are no additional fees for using online services.
Motorists can check conditions on major roadways by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 1,000 traffic cameras. 511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional X alerts.
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MEDIA CONTACT: Alexis Campbell, alecampbel@pa.gov or 717-783-8800
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