Real IDDHS extends deadline for Arizona to comply with REAL ID

Published 7 August 2015

The federal government has given Arizona extra time to develop a driver’s license which complies with new federal security rules mandated by the 2005 REAL ID Act. The extension means state residents will be able to continue using their current documents at airports and federal buildings for five more years.

The federal government has given Arizona extra time to develop a driver’s license which complies with new federal security rules mandated by the 2005 REAL ID Act. The extension means state residents will be able to continue using their current documents at airports and federal buildings for five more years.

Arizona Department of Transportation spokesman Ryan Harding said Wednesday that the extension gave the state until 1 April instead of 1 January to finish the work required to begin issuing the more-secure licenses and ID cards. Once the state begins issuing the new driver’s license, current non-compliant licenses will continue to be accepted until 2020.

As early as next year, DHS could begin barring residents of states which are not in compliance with the Real ID requirements from flying or entering federal buildings.

CBS5AZ reports that Arizona has fallen behind on implementing REAL ID because of a 2008 law which was signed by then-Governor Janet Napolitano, which barred the state from participating in the program. Napolitano, a Democrat who would become President Obama’s first DHS secretary, called REAL ID an unfunded federal mandate when she signed the legislation.

The problem for Arizona in not complying with the Real ID Act was highlighted in this session at the legislature by Republican State Senator Bob Worsley, who pointed to the risk to state business interests and normal travelers if DHS began refusing to accept Arizona’s documents.

He sponsored a proposal which would allow the Arizona Department of Transportation to offer optional REAL ID-compliant licenses and ID cards to meet the federal standards. Governor Doug Ducey signed the bill.

DHS notes that four states still do not have either a compliant ID or a waiver from the government, and residents carrying the non-compliant documents could be subject to tougher checks starting in January. TSA said it was already taking steps to help people at airports who lack proper travel documents.

Harding told CBS5AZ that the state is in the process of completing the technical work to develop the new licenses and identity checks. He said he hopes the work will be completed by the new 1 April deadline. Once the preliminary work is completed, people with current documents will be able to apply, for a fee, for new licenses or ID cards that are REAL ID-compliant.

Harding added that the fee has not yet been set, and that he was not sure whether Arizonans will have to pay extra if they choose a compliant license during a regular renewal. The extra five years will give state residents plenty of time to apply for the Real ID-compliant documents, he said.