By Tanisha Thomas, The Columbus Dispatch
COLUMBUS – Starting in October 2020, your old Ohio driver’s license won’t be enough to get you through security for a commercial flight in the United States.
You’ll need an enhanced license or identification card that complies with new federal security regulations.
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The Bureau of Motor Vehicles wants residents to start getting them soon, to avoid long lines or eventually being turned away at the airport. Starting July 2, the agency will be offering the compliant licenses.
LISTEN: Interview with former Registrar of Motor Vehicles Mike Rankin
Anyone wanting to get the compliant license (shown above) will need to bring some more documentation with them to the BMV.
The federal Real ID Act, passed in 2005, mandates that state driver’s licenses meet certain standards when used for entering some federal facilities or boarding aircraft.
“The idea for this first came from the 9/11 attacks,” former Ohio Deputy Registrar Mike Rankin said, The Real ID Act that prompted these changes was passed in 2005, “but it has taken states 13 years to get on board because it is partially unfunded. It does cost to do this.”
The new process starting July 2 will involve several changes for people wanting to obtain or renew a driver’s license.
For one, visitors to the BMV will not walk away with a new license. New and renewed licenses and ID cards will be mailed to them within 10 days, and customers will receive a temporary identification card until their new license arrives. The temporary ID expires after 45 days. Old licenses will have a hole punched through them, but can be used as another form of identification for renewal.