Is REAL ID A Real Security Solution? 3 Ways It's Designed To Protect You

Soon, your driver's license may not be enough to get you through airport security in the United States. Oct. 1, 2020 is the deadline for U.S. citizens to have REAL ID-compliant state driver's licenses, a requirement passed by Congress in 2005 in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Without a compliant driver's license, those who are 18 and over won't be able to board a domestic flight, unless possessing other specific forms of acceptable identification. The thought behind this was that with standardization, it will become a lot harder to forge documents and gain access to aircraft. While the main idea of REAL ID is to better protect U.S. citizens and their identity, there is controversy over the law.