LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) – In exactly six months, people 18 and older will have to have REAL ID or another acceptable form of identification to get on a plane and access places like military bases.

When you’re walking through the airport, it’s hard to miss all the REAL ID signs and posters. The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet said that as of now, 32 percent of Kentucky cardholders have theirs, so there’s still a ways to go.

“Last year, we had a record number of passengers flying through our airport. We are very excited. It’s great for Lexington and great for the Commonwealth of Kentucky, but what’s really important is that people have the right ID,” said Blue Grass Airport President and CEO Eric Frankl.

May will be here before we know it, and TSA officials say people should act now and get their REAL ID. They say it will ensure a seamless and efficient travel experience.

“The threat posed by the 9/11 commission requires robust identity management to strengthen homeland security as a critical layer of security,” said TSA’s Ray Williams.

A REAL ID is marked with one of five symbols. Kentuckians will have a star cut into a black circle. If you don’t have this on your licence, then your license is considered ‘standard’.

“I think people sometimes think they only need that ID if they’re flying internationally. It is not true. They need it to fly to Florida and other domestic locations,” Frankl said.

According to KYTC, the federal REAL ID initiative will help keep Kentuckians connected to the rest of the country and the world.

“In Kentucky today, we have about 3.3 million drivers. Approximately, just over a million have REAL IDs,” said KYTC Secretary Jim Gray.

TSA says they will begin enforcement on May 7, 2025. If you don’t have a REAL ID by then, you can use another acceptable form of identification, such as a passport.

“We have 33 regional offices for driver’s licenses. They are available for Kentuckians to schedule an appointment and request their real ID,” Gray said.

If your license cannot be renewed before May 7, you have a few options. You can either upgrade it to the RAL ID for $15 while keeping the current expiration date, get a four-year Real ID for $24, or an eight-year Real ID for $48.

“Please take this time to update your driver’s license to real ID. This will help you continue to enjoy the convenience of flying through an airport like Blue Grass,” Frankl said.

Even if you are not planning to fly, it is still recommended to have a REAL ID in case of an emergency.

Click Here for how to get yours.

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