Real ID enforcement begins Wednesday in Kentucky

LEXINGTON, Ky. (FOX 56) — Wednesday marks the start of Real ID enforcement in the United States for anyone flying domestically or who is looking to visit a military base.

It’s meant to enhance security.

According to the state’s official Real ID website, only 36.6%, or roughly 1.3 million Kentuckians, have a Real ID.

Last week, the Trump Administration declined a request from Kentucky lawmakers to delay the Real ID enforcement start date due to long lines at regional offices for people getting their IDs.

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) has announced a skip-the-line alternative to avoid waiting at driver licensing offices for your Real ID.

Options are now available using online, in-office, and mail-in renewal forms.

KYTC has been adding staff and implementing new line management technology to make things smoother for customers.

On Tuesday, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem announced that travelers who do not currently have a Real ID are still able to fly for the time being, but will be diverted to a different line for extra screening.

“People will be allowed to fly,” Noem said. “We recognize that this is a security issue, and we intend to follow the law. So, we will make sure that it is as seamless as possible and that travelers will get to stay on their intended itinerary. But we are telling people that this law will be enforced, and it will allow us to know individuals in this country of who they are and that they’re authorized to travel.”

If you have applied for and have been approved for your Real ID but haven’t gotten your official ID card yet, staff at Blue Grass Airport in Lexington said you are allowed to fly with the temporary paper ID given at KYTC offices.

Prep work at Blue Grass Airport has been months in the making for the official Real ID start date.

With that said, airport staff like Community Relations Manager Lauren Simmerman say as you pack for your next vacation, especially in the couple of days after the official Real ID start date Wednesday, you should pack your patience.

Despite preparation, this is still a new process for everyone, TSA officers included.

After Noem’s announcement Tuesday, Simmerman is encouraging one other major thing as people prepare to travel.

“The best advice that we can offer is give yourself plenty of time,” Simmerman said. “It’s going to cause some additional screening, maybe a little bit of extra time and effort on your end, but hopefully they’re going to be able to get you through.”

If you don’t have a Real ID, you still can travel with several different documents:

• Kentucky’s REAL ID card versions or other federally approved cards offered by other states
• U.S. passport
• U.S. passport card
• DHS Trusted Traveler card (Global
  Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
• U.S. Department of Defense ID,
  including IDs issued to dependents
• Permanent resident card
• Border crossing card
• DHS-designated enhanced drivers
  license
• Federally recognized,
  tribal-issued photo ID
• HSPD-12 PIV card
• Foreign government-issued
  passport
• Canadian provincial driver’s license
  or Indian/Northern Affairs Canada
  card
• Transportation worker identification
  credential (TWIC®)
• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration
  Services Employment Authorization
  Card (I-766)
• U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential
• Veteran Health Identification Card
  (VHIC)