You may need a passport to board a plane in 2018
Submitted by Wanderlust Andi
You will need a passport to board a plane January, 2018 if your state doesn't comply with the REAL ID Act
Do you live in New York, Minnesota, New Hampshire, or Louisiana? If you do, you might need a passport just to board a plane after January, 2018.
For, people living in these four states will be required to get either a passport or an enhanced driver's license to take a commercial flight within the United States. This is due to these particular states issuing driver's licenses that don't comply with the federal standards of the REAL ID Act passed in 2005, which was passed to make state-issued driver's licenses more secure.
Originally, people in these states would have needed a passport for plane boarding this year. However, these states have been given a 2-year extension to comply with the REAL ID act. If they do not comply, you will need a passport to board a plane starting January 22, 2018 if you live in these states.
Complying with the REAL ID is not as easy as you might think
These four states have major data privacy concerns based on the amount of personal data the REAL ID act requires. For example, all the images of the proof needed for a driver's license, such as birth certificates, will be stored in a national database. Based on all the data breaches that have occurred in the last several years, the legislators are concerned about the chance that your personal data could be breached. Plus - many see this as a form of a national identification card - something that many have never wanted.
It might be easier to just get a passport
So, if you live in these states - stay tuned. And, if you have a long trip scheduled within the next year or so - you just might want to get a passport one way or the other. Even if your state complies with the REAL ID act - you will have a passport ready just in case you get a chance to go on a wonderful international trip!
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