The new process starting July 2 will involve several changes for people wanting to obtain or renew a driver's license.
Starting in October 2020, your old Ohio driver's license won't be enough to get you through security for a commercial flight in the United States.
You'll need an enhanced license or identification card that complies with new federal security regulations.
The state Bureau of Motor Vehicles wants Ohio residents to start getting them soon, to avoid long lines or eventually being turned away at the airport. Starting July 2, the agency will be offering the compliant licenses.
Anyone wanting to get the compliant license will need to bring some more documentation with them to the BMV.
The federal Real ID Act, passed in 2005, mandates that state driver's licenses meet certain standards when used for entering some federal facilities or boarding aircraft.
"The idea for this first came from the 9/11 attacks," former Ohio Deputy Registrar Mike Rankin said. The Real ID Act that prompted these changes was passed in 2005, he said, "but it has taken states 13 years to get on board because it is partially unfunded. It does cost to do this."
The new process starting July 2 will involve several changes for people wanting to obtain or renew a driver's license.
For one, visitors to the BMV will not walk away with a new license. New and renewed licenses and ID cards will be mailed to them within 10 days, and customers will receive a temporary identification card until their new license arrives. The temporary ID expires after 45 days. Old licenses will have a hole punched through them, but can be used as another form of identification for renewal.
BMV visitors will be offered a choice of two licenses — standard or compliant cards. Each costs $25.75.
The compliant card meets the new federal travel guidelines. That means travelers can use these licenses as IDs to fly commercially or to access federal buildings, including military bases. Those new rules won't take effect until Oct. 1, 2020, so until then either license will work as an ID at the airport.
Travelers will need more documentation to obtain a compliant license, which is emblazoned with a star. Requirements include documents that show the driver's full legal name, date of birth, proof of U.S. citizenship, Social Security number and two proofs of Ohio residency. The BMV explains the process, including a checklist of acceptable documents, at Bmv.ohio.gov/NEWDL-ID/.
Customers do not have to present documents for every renewal, Registrar for the Ohio BMV Don Petit said.
"The documents will be retained for future renewals unless a change occurs, such as a person changing their name. Then they will have to provide documents showing proof of that name change," Petit said.
The standard card does not require additional documents for renewals, but visitors will need to provide documents proving their full legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, Ohio residency and citizenship or legal residence if the card is being issued for the first time. However, after Oct. 1, 2020, drivers with a standard card will not be allowed to use the license to fly commercially within the United States or access federal buildings, including military bases. They would have to provide another form of secure identification, such as a passport.
The process will still be similar as before with customers getting their photo taken, providing documents and paying for their transaction, Petit said.
BMV officials say they're confident early education campaigns will minimize issues such as long lines and visitors not bringing the correct documents.
"One thing we’ve learned over time is any time there’s a change, you will see it at first. But as customers become more comfortable and prepared, and the employees are working the process longer, the process runs smoother," Petit said.
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