Dear Friends,

Are you one of the 99 million Americans who currently doesn’t have an acceptable ID to board a domestic flight on and after October 1, 2020?

In less than one year, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security will require every American traveling by air to present a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license (or another acceptable form of ID such as a U.S. passport) to go through airport security checkpoints and board their flight.

That means beginning October 1, 2020, your traditional driver’s license will no longer be accepted through airport security. If you don’t see a star or U.S. flag on your current driver’s license, that means you are not REAL ID-compliant.

Unless you plan to use your U.S. passport or Global Entry for every single domestic flight, you must go to a California DMV to get a REAL ID. Before lines at your local DMV get even longer, I encourage you plan ahead and make an appointment online, up to three months in advance. You’ll also be able to fill out the online application to save time during your DMV visit and learn which documentation you’ll have to bring with you to obtain a REAL ID.

For questions or specific step-by-step instructions on obtaining a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license in California, please check with the California DMV: https://realid.dmv.ca.gov/

Our partners at U.S. Travel have created this comprehensive fact sheet that outlines everything you need to know about getting #REALIDready.

I ask that you please share this important information with your friends, family and staff. It’s our desire that all air travelers flying within the U.S. secure a REAL ID-compliant form of identification well ahead of next year’s deadline in order to keep the air travel process moving without disruption.

And remember, if you don't have the star, you won't go far.

Regards,

Ernie