Domestic travel restrictions – Please help us spread the word so that NO ONE misses their flight(s) in 2018!

If you are from these states you will not be allowed to travel domestically after January 22, 2018 (by air) unless you go through another step or two BEFORE leaving for the airport.

Did you know that after January 22, 2018, PEOPLE FROM 9 STATES will not be allowed on flights or past TSA security without a passport or other form of I.D.? We are concerned that people are going to buy tickets or have layovers and leave the airport in these states and not knoiw about these domestic travel restrictions or be able to pass TSA security, missing their flights and creating all kinds of chaos/grief (over missed flights, lost money on tickets, missed work, and more).

Just imagine.
After all you spend on a ticket
After taking time off work
After making other reservations
After rushing to the airport to be on time
– Not being allowed to check in and board your plane.

The states currently not in compliance are:

Washington (state)
South Carolina
Pennsylvania
Oklahoma
Montana
Missouri
Minnesota
Maine
Kentucky

This is a HUGE problem as many people will not discover this until they arrive at the airport ready to fly only to find out they are not allowed due to improper I.D. (No passport, no REAL ID Drivers license,…)

According to the TSA:

Beginning January 22, 2018

Driver’s licenses or state IDs issued by states that are not in compliance with the REAL ID Act and have

not been granted an extension by DHS may not be used to fly within the U.S.

Beginning October 1, 2020

Every traveler will need a REAL ID-compliant license or state ID or another acceptable form of identification to fly within the U.S.

See a REAL ID driver’s license below (story continues after image).

A REALID for travel drivers license — ©2017, Good Neighbor Insurance | May not use without prior permission

What s a REAL ID drivers license? It looks just like a regular driver’s license but has a small gold star in the top right corner. If your driver’s license DOES NOT have a small gold star in the top right corner, your driver’s license is not acceptable for flying domestically.

You may be allowed to travel after January 22, 2018

What makes things more complicated is that many states are issuing both new driver’s licenses AND new REAL ID driver’s licenses. If you don’t ask (and pay the small additional fee and go through the few extra steps), then your new updated driver’s license will still not help you if you want to catch a flight within the USA.

This is problematic because the majority of Americans do not have a current passport. Or REAL ID driver’s license.

So we are asking you to PLEASE HELP US SPREAD THE WORD. Tell others. Share this post.

Take this test. Ask one other person today if they have heard about not being able to fly (in the states) starting in 2018, without a special drivers license or passport. See what they say. Our guess is that the majority of people will be shocked, not believe you, not know anything about it.

SO WE NEED YOUR HELP TELLING EVERYONE. Because we anticipate the frustration and anger over missing flights, weddings, work, important meetings, and not being allowed to fly until new documents can be sent to you!

We’ve written about this subject now at least twice since the law went into effect. But everyday we meet people who haven’t heard of it, who do not know what we are talking about.

Imagine Grandma not being allowed to board with you to make the wedding, the funeral, the reunion,…
Imagine a new spouse not being allowed to fly for her honeymoon?
Or being a best man and missing the wedding?…

What about if I live in another state? What domestic travel restrictions will I face?

1.) You should check here for your particular state.

2.) You should update your Drivers License to a Real ID version as soon as possible (so you don’t forget).

3.) Figure out what documentation you need before applying for a REAL ID driver’s license.

3.) You can write a complaint letter to the Department of Homeland Security if it might make you feel better.

4.) You can learn more about the law BEFORE you need to fly (give yourself enough time before your flight).

– We have an article explaining things including official links here, From Jan, 2016 (updated).

– and from 2017, here.

5.) Consider if you have any of the following alternative documents that might help you not miss your flight:

U.S. passport
U.S. passport card
DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
U.S. military ID (active duty or retired military and their dependents, and DoD civilians)
Permanent resident card
Border crossing card
DHS-designated enhanced driver’s license
Airline or airport-issued ID (if issued under a TSA-approved security plan)
Federally recognized, tribal-issued photo ID
HSPD-12 PIV card
Foreign government-issued passport
Canadian provincial driver’s license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card
Transportation worker identification credential
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766)
U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential

We wish that states would only be issuing new REAL ID drivers licenses to everyone. Rather than two different forms of driver’s license (with Non-REAL ID being the default. We think this is going to further create problems and confusion. That is why we continue to speak out about this issue and do our best to educate everyone. Because we look out for travelers, keeping them safe. BTW, did you know we can also insure you for emergency medical insurance domestically if your insurance and network do not cover where you are headed domestically, or internationally? It’s very affordable at only $1-2. a day including emergency evacuation!

Will minors need to have driver’s licenses to fly domestically?

TSA does not require children under 18 to provide identification when traveling with a companion within the United States. The companion will need acceptable identification.

While the Transportation Security Administration does not require children under 18 to travel with a photo ID, some airlines may require proof of age upon check-in. Bring your child’s birth certificate, or a copy of it, for smooth travels at the airport. This will prove your child’s age to airline personnel upon check-in. You should also contact your airline ahead of time to ask if a birth certificate or other ID is required for your children.

Minors arriving at domestic locations need to be met by an adult. That adult will need to provide photo identification when entering the airport, just like an air passenger would. When your child is returning home, the adult dropping a child off at a departure location will be required to show a photo ID.

More about children traveling alone here.