TSA says Kentucky travelers who miss Real ID deadline may have longer screening process

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The clock is ticking for travelers who haven't upgraded to a Real ID.

Enforcement officially begins in one week, starting May 7. The law requiring Real ID was passed into law 20 years ago. It requires those flying domestically or entering certain federal buildings to have the upgraded Real ID or bring their passport.

The deadline approaches as Kentucky experiences a backlog to get a Real ID. State lawmakers had requested a deadline extension, citing long lines, long waits and overwhelmed driver's license facilities statewide.

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 deadline.

Despite the efforts to get the deadline extended, President Donald Trump's Administration said there will be no extensions, denying Kentucky's request. Officials said all states will need to comply with the deadline.

With one week to go, the Transportation Security Administration is weighing in with advice for travelers who have yet to get their Real ID, and may be wondering what they should do if they don't reach the deadline.

"If you do not have your Real ID yet, you're not going to be turned away," Mark Howell, TSA Regional spokesperson, said. "You will see some delays and you'll see some additional screening as you go through this security checkpoint, but we are urging people to get that taken care of. Especially if they are planning to travel this summer."

Travelers should be aware that additional screening can be time-consuming, since they will need to verify their identity in a different way.

"You may have to do some different identity verification, which could lead to your screening taking quite a bit of time," Howell said. "So you are going to be able to fly as long as you're there early enough, and as long as we're able to verify your identity."

TSA officials are urging those who do not have a Real ID to arrive three hours early for their flight.

The agency 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.

To ease congestion at Kentucky's driver licensing offices, KYTC 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.

Related Coverage:

Trump administration denies Kentucky's request for Real ID deadline extension

Kentucky withholds records of fraud investigation after drivers obtain licenses without a test

Real ID deadline for travelers approaching on May 7

Lawmakers say delay of Kentucky's Real ID deadline needed as some wait in line for hours

2 weeks before Real ID deadline, 28 Kentucky lawmakers ask for another delay