The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) today announced that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has granted New York State a one-year REAL ID extension.

During this extension period, any New Yorker with a standard driver license or non-driver ID will be able to board an airplane or enter a federal building without secondary identification.

“This extension guarantees that New Yorkers will be able to use their driver licenses or ID cards as they did before,” said DMV Executive Deputy Commissioner Terri Egan. “DMV continues to work with DHS to ensure all New York State licenses and non-driver IDs remain acceptable for REAL ID purposes.”

The REAL ID Act is a federal law passed by Congress after 9/11 that establishes specific federal requirements for state-issued driver licenses and identity cards in order to prevent terrorists from evading detection by using fraudulent identification. The law prohibits the use of a driver license or identification card that does not meet the federal requirements to access certain federal facilities and, eventually, at airports. See additional information at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) website.

DMV continues to offer the option of getting an “Enhanced Driver’s License,” or EDL, which is fully acceptable for REAL ID purposes but costs more than standard IDs. However, the EDL serves more purposes, such as entry to the U.S. at land and sea borders.

“Since 2008, New Yorkers have had the choice between a standard driver license and an EDL, which is particularly convenient for travelers because it allows them to travel freely into Canada and Mexico without a passport,” Egan said. “They will still have that choice moving forward.”

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