FRANKFORT, Ky. — The May 7 enforcement deadline for REAL ID is causing a headache for regional licensing offices in Kentucky. Lawmakers in Kentucky say the state isn’t ready for the deadline to go into effect.
28 state senators, all Republicans, sent a letter to Department of Homeland Security secretary Kristi Noem. They say it is a direct response to constituents’ concerns; many saying they are unable to access driver licensing services due to limited appointment availability and long wait lines for walk-ins.
In less than two weeks, Americans planning to fly or visit federal facilities will need to be Real ID compliant.
“And that being a Real ID (driver's license), passport or passport card, military ID; a lot of those serve as Real IDs also," said State Senator Jimmy Higdon, R, Lebanon.
Higdon, the Senate transportation committee chair, said if this goes into effect, it will strain already overburdened licensing facilities and create hardship for many Kentuckians including seniors, rural residents and working families.
“We’re only close to 40% Real ID compliant and Kentucky is not alone, there are 17 other states that are below the 50%," Higdon said.
As previously reported, longer than normal wait times are inconveniencing Kentuckians across the state. In addition to Real ID, a new vision test requirement for license renewals went into effect on January 1 of this year. Lawmakers also passed a bill which lowered the driving permit age to 15, it was signed into law by the governor with an emergency clause meaning it becomes law immediately. Governor Andy Beshear, D, Kentucky said these three things are driving up demand.
“I’m not satisfied with how we’re doing; we need to be messaging more about how people can skip the line," Beshear said.
Beshear encourages people needing a renewal to visit an optometrist and renew online if eligible to avoid waiting in line at a licensing office. At his Team Kentucky updates, Beshear told the press he was aware of the letter and supports the efforts to delay Real ID enforcement.
“I do support moving back the Real ID deadline; it’s not just us it’s a ton of states, people are going to show up and want to see their parents, their kids and not be able to take that flight, that’s going to be a lot of unhappy Americans," Beshear said.
Higdon said anyone not planning to fly in the next month should not be concerned about the May 7 enforcement date.
“The plain Kentucky standard driver’s license is all you need to drive a car or an identification to vote in Kentucky," Higdon said.
Initially Real ID was supposed to be enforced in 2008, but since then it has been delayed multiple times due to state-level resistance, the COVID-19 pandemic and implementation delays in many states. Congress passed the law in 2005 as a response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Spectrum News 1 asked DHS about the letter and a possible enforcement pushback. A TSA spokesperson sent a statement which reads:
“Beginning on May 7, passengers will need a REAL ID or another acceptable form of identification to fly, like a passport or military ID. TSA is committed to enforcing the law, as directed by Congress. Non-compliant passengers may expect wait times or additional measures at airports. If you are an illegal alien without a REAL ID, the only way you will be permitted to fly is if you are self-deporting.”
