ST. PAUL – "Can I get on an airplane?"
This is a question State Representative Tim Miller (R-Prinsburg) and other lawmakers are being asked after the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently denied the State of Minnesota's request for an extension to comply with the federal government's REAL ID standards.
Rep. Miller, who is serving on the Minnesota Legislature's REAL ID working group, assures residents that their travel plans will not be disrupted in the immediate future.
"There is nothing stopping anyone from boarding an airplane and traveling around the country," Miller said. "Your current drivers license continues to be accepted as needed identification at the airport, and if you have flights planned in the next few months you have nothing to worry about."
Minnesota is one of the states that has not implemented REAL ID, which according to DHS is a "coordinated effort by the states and the federal government to improve the reliability and accuracy of state-issued identification documents." DHS has said it will provide four months advance notice to non-compliant REAL ID states when it decides to fully implement the program. Miller said that gives Minnesota plenty of time to conform.
"We're working closely with the federal government and we will fix this issue," Miller said. "But in the meantime, residents should remember that nothing has changed in regards to their ability to board an airplane using their drivers license as identification and REAL ID will not impact their travel plans."
If you have further questions on Real ID, Rep. Miller invites you to contact him by email at rep.tim.miller@house.mn or by phone at 651-296-4228.