Manchester Boston Regional Airport: Airport News

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Airport News

Q&A about the Real ID Act and possible impacts in NH

March 19th, 2008

What is Real ID? Real ID is a federal law designed to improve the integrity and security of State-issued driver's licenses and identification cards.

When is it supposed to take effect? Per the Real ID Act, beginning on May 11, 2008, citizens of States that are not Real ID compliant may not use their driver's licenses as identification for official federal purposes, included boarding an aircraft.

Are States being granted additional time to comply with the Real ID Act? YES. All States submitting requests will receive an extension until December 31, 2009. Federal agencies will still accept State driver's licenses for offical purposes from those States who have been granted an extension. Currently, only four States - Maine, New Hampshire, Montana and South Carolina - have not requested an extension to comply with the requirements of the Real ID Act.

What changes will occur at airports? Any citizen from a non-compliant State traveling by air without a valid passport or military ID will be subjected to a secondary screening process at all federal security screening checkpoints across the country prior to boarding an aircraft. The secondary screening process is a physical inspection of the person and their carry-on baggage.

What will this mean for New Hampshire? If New Hampshire doesn't ask for an extension, as of May 11, 2008 a New Hampshire driver's licenses will no longer be accepted as a valid form of identification by the federal government. All New Hampshire citizens traveling by air without a valid passport or military ID will be subjected to the secondary screening process prior to boarding an aircraft.

What will this mean for passengers at Manchester-Boston Regional Airport? Passengers from non-compliant States (including New Hampshire) can expect extended wait times in the "Non-Compliant Line" at the federal security screening checkpoints, as well as a physical inspection of their person and carry-on baggage.

What's next? New Hampshire Governor John Lynch has sent a letter to Secretary Chertoff at the United States Department of Homeland Security. We are hopeful that New Hampshire will be granted an extension and avoid the May 11, 2008 deadline.