Politics & Government
Ohioans Have Less Than A Year To Get Federally Compliant Licenses
A new federal requirement to make air travel more secure will render most Ohio licenses unusable at airports.
COLUMBUS, OH — Starting October 1, 2020, standard driver's licenses will no longer be acceptable identification at airports. The TSA will require a federally compliant driver's license when Ohioans try to fly. The new license will have a black star in the right-hand corner and several enhanced security features.
“We want to make sure Ohio travelers are aware of the upcoming change in the law and have ample time to get their federally compliant license or identification card if they need one,” said Governor Mike DeWine. “Our goal is to eliminate headaches and frustration at Ohio’s airports so that our citizens can quickly get where they need to go.”
Ohio began offering federally compliant driver's licenses (which can be used at airports) on July 2, 2018. However, only 27 percent of Ohioans have gotten the new license.
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To get the new license, residents need to bring several documents to the BMV, including a birth certificate or passport, a Social Security card or W2, and two additional documents proving their address (like a utility bill or bank statement). Anyone who has changed their name must also provide a certified marriage certificate, divorce degree, U.S. passport or court order with their legal name.
The Ohio BMV has a full list of documents that Ohioans can use to obtain a compliant driver’s license or ID at www.bmv.ohio.gov.
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“The BMV looks forward to working with our partners across the state to provide Ohioans with the information and tools they need to make their REAL ID interaction go as smoothly as possible,” said Ohio BMV Registrar Charles Norman. “We encourage customers to make an informed decision about their REAL-ID needs well in advance of October 1, 2020, to avoid the potential rush as we approach the federal deadline for compliance.”
Ohioans can carry licenses that don't meet federal requirements for flying, state officials said. To pass through TSA at the airport, residents would need to bring their U.S. passport or military ID.
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