Starting in 2023, Pennsylvania residents will need a REAL ID to board a flight or access certain facilities. PHILADELPHIA - Pennsylvanians who want to travel will soon need a little gold star on their diver's license in order to do so.
The star, located in the upper right corner of Pennsylvania driver's licenses, indicates that the driver's license is a REAL ID, which is a credential that Pennsylvania residents will need to have in 2023.Transportation Security Administration (TSA) says REAL ID's will be required starting May 3, 2023 and residents will have the option to upgrade to a REAL ID at the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) office.
A standard license will not be valid to board a flight or access a secure federal building, like a military base or certain federal offices, according to PennDOT officials. "Although a year seems like a long time to get ready, the deadline will be upon us before you know it," says PennDOT Executive Deputy Secretary, Melissa Batula. "We encourage our customers who want a REAL ID to get one as soon as possible.
We continue to focus on providing the best possible customer service to all of our customers as the federal deadline approaches."RELATEDAfter coronavirus pause, PennDOT resumes issuing REAL IDsPennDOT rolls out REAL ID awareness campaignWhat to Know: Real IDs now available in PennsylvaniaReal ID deadline extended to 2023 due to ongoing pandemic: DHSAccording to the TSA, REAL ID's are needed to improve the reliability and accuracy of driver licenses and ID cards to inhibit terrorists' ability to avoid detection by using fraudulent identification.