REAL ID

Since its passage, Governors have supported the intent and purpose behind the REAL ID Act to increase security and standardize the issuance of state driver’s licenses and identification cards. States and territories have and continue to invest their resources to raise public awareness, provide timely REAL ID services, and adopt best practices to achieve feasible REAL ID benchmarks.

In response to the prolonged impact of COVID-19, DHS has announced an extension of the REAL ID full enforcement date to May 3, 2023, in order to ensure that all Americans have a chance to acquire a REAL ID.

This extension is welcome and we encourage everyone to get their REAL ID when the opportunity arises, such as when renewing your driver’s license, and not wait until the deadline.

Listen to NGA’s discussion with Federal Drive with Tom Temin regarding States, Territories, and REAL ID. Transcript available here.

NGA Actions on REAL ID

Testimony – PASS ID

Chairman Lieberman, Ranking Member Collins and distinguished members of the committee, my name is Jim Douglas, Governor of the state of Vermont and Vice Chair of the National Governors Association ...
Read More

Testimony – REAL ID, Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative

Chairman Akaka, Ranking Member Voinovich and distinguished members of the subcommittee, my name is David Quam and I am the director of federal relations for the National Governors Association (NGA) ...
Read More

Testimony – Homeland Security Grants: Supporting a National Preparedness and Response System

Chairman Price, Ranking Member Rogers, and members of the Subcommittee, my name is Ray Scheppach and I am the Executive Director of the National Governors Association. On behalf of the ...
Read More

• ‹
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• ›

State/Territory REAL ID Resources

Department of Homeland Security REAL ID Page