It's been 25 years in the making, but the "Real ID" program is ready to "go live" in less than three weeks and some people are predicting chaos at airports because of it.

The deadline for "Real ID" is supposed to be May 7th, just a few days from now. That's when a plan that's been postponed by the federal government many times finally goes into effect, adding a little star onto the upper right of your driver's license.

The addition to your license means your State of Texas paperwork is in order, in conjunction with the US Department of Homeland Security, and you're certified to fly on any domestic airline or do a number of other things that now require somewhat tighter security, such as entering federal buildings.

The Real ID plan originated during the George W. Bush presidency, another legacy of the security crackdowns that followed the 9/11 attacks.

In the almost quarter century since, the system was designed and slowly put into place, the kinks worked out (more or less) and then there were continual, significant delays to the plan's rollout, especially during the pandemic, when the implementation of the Real ID plan was mostly put on hold.

But now that the deadline is here, a travel expert at the Going Travel app and for Going.com, Katy Nastro, says perhaps the most unfortunate part of the new regulation is that it goes into effect just as the vacation season gets underway, when airports see the longest sustained busy period of the year.

Things could get a little chaotic as airport ticketing agents and officials get the whole thing straightened out.

Of course, if you don't plan on flying this year or entering any federal buildings, you won't need to stress about this just now. But you'll need to get Real ID attached to your state driver's license eventually.

And maybe it's better if you're not flying out during the run-up to this deadline.

"There's going to be the likelihood of a large portion of people who have totally forgotten about this deadline and then it crept up on them and then they arrive at the airport assuming they can use their regular ID, when in fact they're going to have to go through a couple of extra steps in the TSA process in order for them to pass through," Nastro says.

"We're definitely going to see delays because of this fact."

But she adds -- as comfort to those without the ID -- that "the TSA, after the deadline, will be understanding, knowing that some people weren't able to get their Real ID certification before the deadline," but it will definitely take longer to get to flights, and it may take considerably longer without it.

Meanwhile, there are alternatives to using Real ID, even after the May 7th deadline.

Nastro says you can use a Global Entry Card that allows for expedited entry into the US, and a passport or a passport card are good alternatives. There's also a military ID, or the US Customs and Border Protection's Nexus Card, or a federal ID or a permanent resident card -- all can be used as alternative forms of ID when you show up at the airport and don't have the Real ID.

Her advice to people who are having trouble getting an appointment at the DMV to receive the Real ID? Widen your search circle "in terms of locations. If you're an AAA member, they're actually setting up what you might call 'satellite centers' in some states for those having trouble getting in to see the DMV."

"And there are satellite centers that have nothing to do with AAA that are popping up on Saturdays for those who need to get in and get their Real ID. We're even seeing some DMV locations staying open after hours on Tuesdays or Thursdays to help, too.

Jimmy Barrett

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