The Real ID Act was passed by Congress in 2005 to expand the safety precautions taken before entering federal buildings, nuclear plants, military bases and commercial airplanes following the Sept. 11 attacks.

The Real ID logo is a star on the right hand corner of a driver license or non-driver identification card.

The majority of the 50 states were federally compliant with Real ID laws by 2018 while New Hampshire was only beginning that process.

“I don’t currently have a Real ID but when my current license expires in a few years, I’ll get one,” said Officer Webber, the school resource officer at PA. “I understand that it’s important.”

If someone does not wish for their ID to be federally compliant, their ID renewal will have “not for federal identification” etched under the state name. In New Hampshire, a Real ID is voluntary.   

“I didn’t even know about the Real ID laws until recently,” said secretary Ms. Lepage. “When I get my license renewed, I will definitely be getting a Real ID.”

However, if a person chooses to opt-out then they will need a valid passport to board a domestic flight or enter any of the aforementioned places.

Not federally compliant IDs will no longer be able to get you into federal buildings, nuclear plants, military bases or on commercial airplanes after Oct. 1, 2020.