Travelers who do not have their North Carolina or South Carolina REAL ID now have more time to get one.
The deadline to have federal identification for domestic air travel has been extended to Oct. 1, 2021. The Department of Homeland Security announced the new deadline as part of the CARES Act legislation that provides aid to airports in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
A REAL ID-compliant driver license is just like a traditional license or ID except it has a star at the top. Driver licenses and IDs without a gold star are noted "Not for Federal Identification."
While REAL ID may be optional for driving in North Carolina and South Carolina, anyone planning to fly within the United States on or after Oct. 1, 2021 will need a federal ID like REAL ID or other commonly used options such as valid military ID or passport.
North Carolina residents can find more information on the North Carolina Department of Transportation website.
South Carolina residents can find information of the S.C. Department of Motor Vehicles website.
Note: Driver’s license offices may have modified hours due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Be sure to check their websites for information specific to your state.
Other resources: Department of Homeland Security and the Transportation Security Administration.