CHARLOTTE, N.C. — If you live in either South Carolina or North Carolina, you are going to have to get a new driver's license called a REAL ID over the next year.
This will affect most people because the new identification is what you will have to show the TSA To get on an airplane, even if you're flying domestically. The good news is the process isn't complicated, even though it is a requirement.
In fact, it's nothing more than a new look to your existing driver's license. The only noticeable change is a star in the upper right corner. The deadline to have a REAL ID is October 1, 2020. You will need a REAL ID to board a domestic commercial flight and you'll need it to get into a secure federal building and any U.S. military bases.
If you're wondering why we have to do this, it's because of the REAL ID Act, which was passed by Congress in 2005. It sprung out of recommendations made by the 9/11 Commission that our country have a set standard for identification.
To get your REAL ID, you'll need a few things. First, you'll need to show the DMV a copy of your birth certificate, proof of a Social Security number, and two forms showing your current address. You can use a power bill or a phone bill, and if you've legally changed your name, you'll need proof of that, too.
The cost for a REAL ID is $13 for people who get their before their current driver's license expires. All of the money collected goes to support the highways in your state. In some cases, you can do this online and they'll use your existing driver's license photo, but check with your state DMV to see if you are eligible.
And remember, it's not optional, so don't wait. The clock is ticking.
North Carolina residents: Click here for more REAL ID information
South Carolina residents: Click here for more REAL ID information