Beginning next week Washington County Treasury will begin issuing REAL ID drivers licenses. County Treasurer Jeff Garrett explains the legislation that created the REAL ID was part of a bigger homeland security act. He says its purpose is to promote more uniform security and adds within two years the REAL ID will be required to fly on commercial airlines or enter certain federal buildings for anyone under 50. Starting next Tuesday any Iowa license holder will have the option to get the new ID, as long as they provide proof of legal presence in the country, a social security number, and proof of residency. Anyone getting a license for the first time will be issued the REAL ID Garrett says the only difference between the old driver’s license and the REAL ID is that there’s a gold star in the upper right hand corner.
Timeline
May 11th 2005: President George W. Bush signs the REAL ID Act into law.
January 15th 2013: License holders have the option to get the REAL ID, if they provide the necessary documentation. Anyone getting a driver’s license or identification card for the first will be issued the Real I.D.
December 1st 2014: Anyone 50 years and younger will need a REAL ID document to board a commercial aircraft or enter certain federal government buildings and nuclear power plants.
December 1st 2017: Those older than 50 will need a REAL ID document to board a commercial aircraft or enter certain federal government buildings and nuclear power plants.