Here’s What Happens If Louisiana Residents Don’t Get a Real ID Before The Deadline?

KNGT-FM - The Real ID deadline is creeping up fast, Louisiana, but what if you can’t get yours in time? Will your summer vacation or work trip be ruined? Don't start stressing just yet, you might be in the clear. We've got everything Louisianans need to know to stay travel-ready.

The worst feeling in the world has to be showing up to an airport, hours from home, and all excited for your trip, and then, bam, you find out you can’t even board your flight because you don’t have the right ID. That would be awful! We've got all of the information you need to know if you've missed the deadline to grab your ReadID.

WHAT IS A REAL ID?

A Real ID is a new type of driver’s license or ID card that the federal government says is more secure. You’ll know you have one because there’s a little star on it, usually at the top of your card. The idea came from safety recommendations after the 9/11 attacks. Besides flying, you’ll also need a Real ID to get into certain federal buildings and even nuclear power plants (you know, just in case you’re planning a visit).

Louisiana started offering Real IDs a while back, but many people still don’t have one. The federal law that requires Real IDs was actually passed way back in 2005, but the government has delayed making it mandatory several times. Now, it’s finally happening.

READ MORE: What Louisiana Residents Need to Know About Real ID

WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU DON'T HAVE A REAL ID AND NEED TO TRAVEL?

Let’s say it’s after May 7 and you don’t have a Real ID, Are your travel plans doomed? Not exactly, but things get tricky. TSA will accept other forms of ID, like:

• Valid U.S. passport
• U.S. passport card
• Military ID

So, the real question is, can you still get a Real ID after the deadline? Yes, you can apply for it anytime, even after May 7. But honestly, if you’ve got a flight coming up, I wouldn’t wait. The DMV gets packed around big deadlines, and trust me, no one wants to be stuck in that last-minute rush.

So, for Louisiana residents, if you plan on flying or visiting federal buildings in the future, it’s probably a pretty smart move to get your Real ID sooner rather than later.