PORTLAND, Maine — As many embark on summer vacation, state leaders are alerting Mainers about the Real ID deadline, which could creep up on some travelers faster than they think.
A news conference was held Thursday at the Portland International Jetport, where Director Paul Bradbury reminded travelers they have less than a year before many will be required to have a form of a Real ID to travel within the United States.
If fliers do not have a form of Real ID by May 7, 2025, they will be required to fly with a driver's license and passport or passport card.
"We have about a year to prepare, so we're encouraging people to think about it now," Secretary of State Shenna Bellows said. "We're ready, and we're ready to help."
About 41 percent of Mainers traveling through the jetport this year already have a Real ID, Bellows said.
Christopher Ireland, director of the Bureau of Motor Vehicles Driver's License Services, said the bureau is already working with community partners to get the word out and has already seen an influx of Mainers head into their local branch to get a Real ID.
Ireland said many of them are heading in not only to get ahead of the deadline but also because the Real ID offers them a way to travel within the U.S. without a passport.
"What we're hearing from a lot of customers is they like to have that option set available to them at any given time," Ireland added.
Not only will getting a Real ID make flying smoother, but TSA of New England spokesperson Daniel Velez said it will also help with security by preventing potential terrorists who want to avoid detection by using fake IDs.
"[Like] the 19 hijackers on 9/11 [who] had 30 separate driver's licenses and identification cards," Velez said.
Maine residents Crystal Canney and her father, Ralph, were traveling to Florida on Thursday with just their passports but said they plan to consider getting a Real ID soon.
"We've had our passports forever, and it's just something that we commonly use, so it's convenient for us," Crystal Canney said. "I think the Real ID program is important, though."
To get a Real ID, you will need to present a form of identity, your social security number, and two documents that establish a proof of residence.
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