BUFFALO, N.Y. — If you have a standard New York State driver's license, in 500 days you will not be able to board a plane.
Erie County Clerk Mickey Kearns is working to let people know they need to upgrade to a Real ID card.
Kearns is hosting a seminar on at 10:30 a.m. Monday at the Buffalo Niagara International Airport to answer public questions.
As of October 1, 2020, federal agencies such as the Transportation Security Administration will only be able to accept Real IDs, U.S. passports, and enhanced driver's licenses as forms of identification. Even if you only plan to fly domestically.
The Real ID Act is part of post September 11 legislation, which passed in 2005, to establish minimum security standards for driver's licenses,permits and ID cards issued in all 50 states.
The Real ID looks different than a standard license. It has a star symbol in the upper right corner.
The cost for the Real ID is the same as getting a new standard license or renewal.
To apply for a Real ID you do need to go to the Department of Motor Vehicles and take a new photo.
If you still have a number of years on your standard license past October 2020 before it's set to expire, you can keep using it. The standard ID will still be accepted as identification for most things such as driving, voting, and applying for federal benefits.
