Real ID Requirments
The “Star Update” article was published in the 10/31/19 issue of Olney Enterprise. After conversing with several readers in regard to the article, we are providing updated information verified through the Department of Motor Vehicles and the Department of Public Safety.
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety Driver License Division, “Effective October 2020, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security will require that all persons who plan to travel by air have a REAL ID compliant card. This includes a valid U.S. Passport or a Driver License or Identification Card with a REAL ID compliant indicator of a star in the upper right hand corner of the card.”
If you do not have a REAL ID compliant indicator on your driver’s license and want one, you may check your eligibility to renew online or request a duplicate online. Every person may have different requirements based on what is currently on file with the DMV.
According to the DMV website, the Real ID requirements for Driver’s Licenses and ID are below:
If you do not have a REAL ID compliant indicator on your Driver License or Identification Card, you may be eligible to renew online or request a replacement online.
If your card expires before October 2020, don’t worry. You will get a REAL ID the next time you renew. Check your eligibility to renew online here: www.texas.gov/dlrenewal
If your card expires after October 2020, you have multiple options:
Do you have a passport? If so, you may choose to use that as your REAL ID credential.
Does your card expire between October 2020 and October 2022? You can renew up to two years ahead of your expiration date. Go to Texas.gov to see if you can renew online.
If your card expires between October 2020 and October 2022, you can request a duplicate at Texas.gov. You will be provided a REAL ID compliant duplicate, which will remain valid until it’s time for you to renew.
If your card expires after October 2022, you have multiple options:
Do you have a passport? If so, you may choose to use that as your REAL ID credential.
You can mail in a form to request a duplicate DL or ID card, or
You can visit Texas.gov to request a duplicate DL or ID card.
For additional questions about eligibility, please visit DPS Customer Service online. Or to check your specific requirements prior to going to the DMV office in Graham, Texas, make sure you have the following information before you log onto the website:
The last four digits of your Social Security number and date of birth
The current copy of your Texas driver’s license that includes the audit number. If you do not have an audit number, you will be required to complete additional authentication and pay an additional fee of $1.75.
A valid credit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover or American Express)
Access to a printer to print the temporary driver’s license or ID, which is valid for 60 days.
You may also renew by phone: 1-866-357-3639. If renewing online, click this link and enter the required information: https://txapps.texas.gov/tolapp/txdl/login.dl?locale=en
Driver’s license or ID number, Date of Birth, Audit Number and the last four digits of your social security number. Select Login.
You will find additional information in the original article below.
Published 10/31/19
Have you checked your driver’s license for a gold and white star in the upper righthand corner? If that star is not there, eventually, you will be required to get a new license that is compliant with the Federal Real ID Act.
Many Texans may likely have the star already since Texas began compliance Oct. 10, 2016. If there is no star on your license, don’t panic. Your license will be valid for identification purposes until the expiration date listed on your license. However, beginning Oct. 1, 2020, only state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards that contain the star will be accepted for official federal government purposes like boarding domestic flights. That’s right; you can’t fly without the star, so, if you are not planning to fly after Oct. 1, 2020, your license is valid until it expires.
Congress actually passed the Federal Real ID Act in 2005 in response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks. According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, “The REAL ID Act requires states to adopt and implement uniform standards for the issuance and production of state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards if they are to be accepted as identity documents by the federal government. This Act strengthens the integrity and security of state-issued cards in an effort to reduce identity fraud and terrorism.”
Make sure you are prepared when you go to the DMV office to renew your license. To renew a non-commercial Texas driver’s license or identification card, you must bring your completed application for renewal, proof of U.S. citizenship or updated evidence of lawful presence, proof of identity and proof of your Social Security number. Of course, you should bring the cash required to pay for the renewal fee. For further instructions regarding the required documentation, visit www.dps.texas.gov/internetforms/Forms/DL-32.