The U.S. Travel Association is projecting airport chaos in one year’s time unless travelers start planning now for REAL ID.
Mandatory REAL ID requirement come into effect on October 1, 2020 but USTA says a majority of Americans are not even aware of the deadline.
A U.S. Travel Association study found 57% didn’t know about the deadline and 72% said they do not have a REAL ID driver’s license or were unsure whether the license they have is compliant.
"Our survey gave us the answer we didn’t want to hear: that there is alarming lack of awareness and preparedness a short year out from REAL ID going into full effect," U.S. Travel Association CEO Roger DOW said.
"This is significant not only because it will inconvenience travelers and create confusion at U.S. airports—it could do sigificant damage to our nation’s economy."
It says the US economy would lose about $282 million every week from travelers being turned away at TSA checkpoints based on the current number of compliant IDs.
Each state has different policies for updating driver’s licenses which adds to the confusion for travelers.
While the association is working hard to increase awareness, it has proposed allowing online and mobile REAL ID applications, using existing security information for people already enrolled in trusted traveler programs as a temporary alternative to REAL ID, and setting up a separate screening procedure for non-compliant travelers.
This will ensure large numbers aren’t turned away after the October 2020 deadline.
