Shante' Brown, Deputy Secretary of Child Development and Early Learning | Pennsylvania Department Of Education
With the federal REAL ID enforcement set to begin in less than a month, Pennsylvania's government is urging residents to get ready. Secretary Mike Carroll from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), alongside representatives from the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport and the American Automobile Association (AAA), is leading efforts to educate the public.
Starting May 7, travelers will need a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or ID card, or an alternative federally-approved identification, like a passport or military ID, for domestic air travel and access to some federal facilities. The initiative is a part of Governor Shapiro's administration's drive to ensure residents are prepared for the upcoming changes. Since 2019, more than 2.6 million Pennsylvanians have secured a REAL ID.
Secretary Carroll emphasized the importance of preparation: "We know that people look forward to traveling with friends and family. But after May 7, if you don't have a REAL ID or a passport, you won't be able to board a domestic flight. We're strongly encouraging everyone to make sure you have what you need to travel before you arrive at the airport, especially if you already have flights planned for the summer."
Key stakeholders in these efforts include Carl Beardsley, Executive Director for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport, Kara Templeton, Deputy Secretary for Driver and Vehicle Services at PennDOT, and Nina Waskevich, Vice President, Brand and Membership at AAA North.
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