Many of us travel all over in search of amazing escape rooms.
Starting on October 1, 2020, American citizens will need a “REAL ID” compliant form of identification for domestic airplane travel.
That is only 1 year away.
Background
The law dates back to the post 9/11 security freakout of 2005. Rollout/ enforcement has been delayed repeatedly, but October of 2020 is the drop-dead enforcement date.
Some states adopted this law a few years ago. Others, like my adopted home, the great State of New Jersey, just started rolling it out.
I am out today, literally renewing my license as a REAL ID as this publishes.
We’re going to set aside whether this is a good or bad idea and look at the facts as they pertain to escape room tourists.
Is My License a REAL ID?
It’s pretty easy to tell if your license is a REAL ID. It will have a star in the upper right quarter that looks like one of these:
What Happens on October 1, 2020?
If you don’t have a REAL ID as of October 1, 2020, the TSA will require you to fly domestically with a valid passport. Otherwise they won’t let you through security.
Take a look at your license and make sure that your future travels won’t be disrupted by this Bush-era law that took over a decade to roll out.
Visit the TSA for more information on REAL ID.
Note that you will still need a passport for international travel, now and after October 1, 2020. For Americans attending our escape room tour, Escape Immerse Explore: Montreal 2020, make sure you have a passport. And if you have a passport, but not a ticket to this event, there are just a few left!
Washington state doesn’t have the star–from that TSA link FAQ: “Washington state issues enhanced driver’s licenses only. These documents will be accepted at the airport security checkpoint when the REAL ID enforcement goes into effect.”
Thank you for catching that and noting it!
Real ID will also be needed at other federal security checkpoints like federal courtrooms.
Good point!
Just be sure that when you are packing your passport, you don’t accidentally pack your “Escape Room Passport” instead. I almost did this recently. That would have been embarrassing at the border.
Hahaha. That’s great. Better yet, pack both!