photo courtesy of Pixabay user JESHOOTS
(SEATTLE) We’ve talked a lot over the past year about needing a new enhanced drivers’ license by mid-2023, otherwise you may not be able to use the nation’s airports.
There’s no longer a need to hurry to meet that deadline.
Washington’s enhanced drivers license complies with the federal mandate that each state have a new Real ID. The program was created way back in 2005, and ever since, there has been delay after delay in fully implementing it, mostly because it’s a huge undertaking in every state.
Yesterday, there was an announcement that so many states are behind in processing applications, you now don’t need the enhanced license until 2025.
“We do want to give states an opportunity to clear that backlog to get as many people in as possible to get their Real ID,” says Lori Dankers, a Seattle-based spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security.
According to our state’s department of licensing, only about 20% of Washington 6-MILLION drivers have an Enhanced drivers license. It’s not known if we were one of the states complaining about a backlog of new applications that led to the latest punting of the deadline.
“Don’t let the deadline being pushed out 24 months prevent you from acting today to make sure you’re prepared,” advises Dankers.
