LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Time is running out for Kentuckians to get a Real ID.
Despite requests by some lawmakers to delay the May 7 deadline, President Donald Trump's Administration said there will be no extensions.
Officials said all states will need to comply with deadline, which is a week from Wednesday. The law requiring Real IDs was passed into law 20 years ago.
Beginning May 7, Real ID-compliant identification will be required to board domestic flights and enter certain federal buildings. Alternative documents, such as a passport or military ID, are also viable options.
The TSA said about 80% of travelers nationwide have their Real IDs already. But in Kentucky, only 37% of eligible drivers had one as of last week.
In requesting the deadline extension, Kentucky lawmakers cited long lines and overwhelmed driver's license facilities across the state.
In Louisville, residents are waiting for hours, appointment or not, at the Bowman Field Driver Licensing Regional Office.
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet attributes the delays to several factors, including new legislation requiring vision screenings for license and permit renewals, and a surge in demand from residents trying to meet the upcoming May 7 Real ID deadline.
To ease congestion, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is promoting “skip the line” options.
Those include:
- Visit your eye specialist, ask for a vision screening form, go online and upload it to renew at DLRenewal.Ky.gov.
- Visit any licensing office for a vision screening, receive a passcode, return home to renew online at DLRenewal.Ky.gov.
- Visit any licensing office for a vision screening, then ask for a renewal form to fill out there and receive a temporary license via email.
- Or renew by mail by printing the mail-in form at Drive.ky.gov, filling it out, and attaching a completed vision form from an eye specialist.
Officials also recommend residents schedule appointments online, though slots are filling within minutes of becoming available.
Saturday hours will continue to be offered once a month, and pop-up sessions are scheduled in counties without permanent driver’s license branches.
Real ID licenses are available for $24 for a four-year ID, and $48 for an eight-year ID.
To make an appointment at one of the state's regional licensing offices, click here. Walk-in customers are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
All Kentucky regional Driver Licensing Offices are equipped to issue REAL ID versions of licenses or identification. Kentucky residents who already have a Real ID can renew online or by mail, but first-time applicants have to apply in-person with required documents. A list of acceptable documents is available at RealIDKy.com.
To learn more about the transition to Real ID in Kentucky, click here.
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