Republicans in the Kentucky Senate are calling on the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to extend a federal deadline set for next month for travelers to have a REAL ID to board domestic flights and access other federal facilities.
A REAL ID is a type of identification card, including driver’s licenses, with enhanced security protections issued by states following Congress’ passage of the REAL ID Act in 2005.
After years of delays in requiring usage of these enhanced IDs, Kentuckians and people in other states have until May 7 before a REAL ID is needed to enter federal facilities, such as military bases or to get through airport security checkpoints to board domestic flights.
Sen. Jimmy Higdon, R-Lebonan, in a letter co-signed by other Republican state senators called on Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to extend the deadline because Kentuckians need more time to obtain REAL IDs.
“While the intent behind the implementation of REAL ID is understandable, we believe the practical impact on Kentuckians must also be considered,” Higdon wrote in his April 17 letter. “Despite significant progress, Kentucky is simply not fully prepared for complete implementation.”
Higdon also asked for “more time to help Kentuckians understand that they may not need a REAL ID.” Standard driver’s licenses will still be valid for daily use within the state, he stressed. He encouraged people to review their options and choose the form of identification that best fits their circumstances.
Higdon, the chair of the Kentucky Senate Transportation Committee, in a column posted to the social media platform X wrote many people have contacted him “about the inconvenience of renewing a driver’s license these days” including long wait times at regional driver’s licensing state offices and a new requirement of a vision test to renew a driver’s license.
A recent report by CBS News found many states are lagging in the percentage of citizens who have a REAL ID. According to data compiled by CBS News from state motor vehicle departments, in 30 states fewer than 70% of IDs are compliant with REAL ID standards. New Jersey had the lowest compliance rate at 17%, while Kentucky had a compliance rate of about 36%.
Higdon in his column wrote that other forms of federal identification, such as passports and passport cards, can be used as an alternative to a REAL ID to get through airport security.
An emailed request for comment sent to a Kentucky Transportation Cabinet spokesperson asking about the letter from state senators was not immediately returned Wednesday afternoon.
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Liam Niemeyer covers government and policy in Kentucky and its impacts throughout the Commonwealth for the Kentucky Lantern. He most recently spent four years reporting award-winning stories for WKMS Public Radio in Murray.
