Time Running Out: Get Your Real ID Before the May 7 Deadline
If you don’t have a Real ID, now is the time to get one. Starting May 7, a Real ID or valid passport will be required for domestic air travel and entry into certain federal facilities, according to the TSA.
How Many Coloradans Still Need One?
According to the Colorado Department of Motor Vehicles, about 93% of the state’s 5 million issued credentials are already Real ID-compliant. However, that still leaves approximately 350,000 people who need to update their driver’s license or ID before the deadline.
How to Check If You Have a Real ID
- Colorado Real ID cards have a star inside a black circle (newest design) or a gold star in the top right corner.
- If your driver’s license or ID does not have a star, you’ll need to renew or replace it before May 7.
Who Cannot Get a Real ID?
Not all identification cards qualify for an upgrade. CO-RCSA driver’s licenses and ID cards issued to individuals living in the U.S. without legal status are not Real ID-compliant.
The Real ID Act: 20 Years in the Making
Congress passed the Real ID Act in 2005 following recommendations from the 9/11 Commission to create a standardized federal identification system.
However, implementation has been delayed for nearly two decades due to:
- State resistance to federal oversight of ID systems
- Low compliance rates among residents
- Administrative setbacks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic
With the deadline finally approaching, Coloradans should act now to ensure they have the proper ID before the May 7 enforcement date.
