If there are three things that can still be agreed on in today’s divided America, it’s likely: chocolate tastes good, Kendrick won the rap battle, and being in the DMV is awful. While the mess of bureaucratic paperwork, long lines, and confusing processes is annoying, today we owe a great debt of gratitude to Colorado.
Back in 2005, almost if not every student at Rocky was born the Real ID Act was passed. The federal law required photo identification to meet certain standards in order to be used for entrance to some federal buildings, nuclear power plants, or, most importantly, air travel. While the enforcement of the act has been postponed with a series of delays that makes seniors with crippling senioritis look like they turn work in early, today TSA officially begins enforcement.
That means that unless your ID meets the Real ID standards, you’ll be unable to pass through TSA and board a plane without extended screenings. Across the nation, both airports and DMV offices are expected to see significant delays and crowding.
In some states, this situation is especially problematic. The most recent analysis from CBS estimates that only 17% of people in New Jersey have a Real ID and that 30 states have below 70% of their residents with a Real ID. While the TSA reports that approximately 80% of recent travelers have used a Real ID, this should still create concern for occasional travelers.
This has been caused by many states waiting to implement Real IDs into circulation and not making them standard for IDs that have been distributed. Additionally, some states are requiring citizens to drive long distances to obtain a compliant ID and visit particular centers.
Here is where Colorado stands apart. Colorado has been producing Real IDs since 2012, which means almost every Coloradoan has a Real ID. This also means that every student who has received a driver’s license or permit in the past few years is compliant.
Despite this, it is still worth checking that your ID is compliant. While the FAA says that children under the age of eighteen don’t normally require an ID to fly domestically, your ease of travel can be improved by having one.
Most Real IDs feature a star in the corner, often within a circle. Additionally, if your Colorado ID has a black banner across the top, it is less likely to be acceptable for air travel.
For anyone without a Real ID, a passport or passport card, along with a few other forms of identification, is still considered acceptable under the new regulations. A full list of acceptable IDs is available on the TSA website.
However, for most Coloradans, the foresight of the DMV and the Department of Revenue will save them the trouble. While many states are expecting chaos, Coloradoans can sit back and escape the trouble of acquiring a new ID.
With their spare time, they can enjoy a free Krispy Kreme doughnut today as part of a sales promotion focusing on the new ID policies. As a Rocky student employed at the Fort Collins franchise confirmed to The Highlighter, everyone will be able to receive a free glazed doughnut without any ID.
While thousands of Americans will struggle to update their documents in the next couple of weeks, we can thank the Colorado DMV that we can focus our stress on AP tests.
