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What is REAL ID and What Does it Mean for Floridians?

The REAL ID Act is a nationwide effort to improve the integrity and security of State-issued driver licenses and identification cards, which in turn will help fight terrorism and reduce fraud. The REAL ID Act sets minimum standards for the issuance of driver licenses and identification cards.

A Real ID compliant identification form is required for the following:

• accessing a Federal facility;
• boarding Federally-regulated commercial aircraft; and
• entering nuclear power plants

Florida will begin issuing REAL ID compliant identification forms January 2010 in an effort to comply with the following federal deadlines:

Florida has already met many of the Real ID requirements, including the required identifying documents to obtain state-issued identification and issuing eight year licenses to drivers 79 years and under. Those older than 80 years will continue to receive six year licenses.

Visit the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Real ID Act website at http://www.flhsmv.gov/realid/ for additional information, including frequently asked questions.