According to the US Travel Association, most Americans are not prepared for the implementation of the RealID program set for October 1st, 2020.

The program, implemented by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, is the last phase of enforcement of the REAL ID Act, the law originally passed in 2005 that will require travelers to present a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or other approved form of identification in order to board a flight.

As it stands, according to the study, millions of people could be prevented from boarding a plane because they do not have the required identification. According to the survey conducted for U.S. Travel by Longwoods International, a market research consultancy, 72% of Americans either do not have a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or are unsure if they do.

Daine Taylor – Travel Market Report

The study revealed a significant lack of awareness of the REAL ID program, with more than half of Americans saying they did not know about the upcoming deadline. In fact, 39% of Americans say they do not have any form of identification that will be accepted including a passport or RealID compliant drivers license.

So what about you? If your license is not up-to-date, then you should make plans to get it updated before next year when the policy gets implemented. Also, it’s always a good idea to verify the expire date of your passport. Most countries will not let you enter if your expire date is within 6 months of your travel date.