As REAL ID deadline looms, Kentucky lawmakers call for a delay
Updated: 6:08 PM EDT Apr 23, 2025
MEINERS WLKY NEWS. THANK YOU. ADDIE. KENTUCKY LAWMAKERS ARE ASKING THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION TO PUSH BACK THE UPCOMING DEADLINE TO GET A REAL ID. SENATOR JIMMY HIGDON OF LEBANON PENNED A LETTER SIGNED BY 27 OTHER STATE SENATORS TO HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY KRISTI NOEM. NOW, THE CURRENT DEADLINE TO GET A REAL ID IS MAY 7TH. KENTUCKY LAWMAKERS WANT TO DELAY IT FOR AT LEAST ANOTHER YEAR. HIGDON CITES LIMITED APPOINTMENT AVAILABILITY AND LONG WAIT TIMES AT REGIONAL LICENSING OFFICES. AND HE SAYS ONLY ABOUT 40% OF KENTUCKIANS HAVE A REAL ID. AND, YOU KNOW, KENTUCKY HAS MADE STRIDES IN CATCHING UP. WE DIDN’T WE DIDN’T IMPLEMENT IT UNTIL 2019. WE FACED A SETBACK IN, YOU KNOW, 2020 WITH COVID. BUT, YOU KNOW, WE’VE BEEN PLUGGING AWAY. SENATE BILL 43 PASSED EARLIER THIS YEAR. IT WILL ALLOW THIRD PARTY OFFICES TO ISSUE LICENSE RENEWALS. HOWEVER, IT DOES NOT BECOME LAW UNTIL THE END OF JUNE. YOU DO NOT NEED A REAL ID TO DRIVE. A STANDARD LICENSE WILL STILL BE ACCEPTED, HOWEVER, BARRING A DELAY STARTING MAY 7TH, WHICH IS JUST TWO WEEKS FROM TODAY, A REAL ID OR PASSPORT WILL BE NEEDED TO BOARD FLIGHTS OR TO VISIT CERTAIN FEDERAL FACILITIES, INCLUDING MILITARY BASES LIKE FORT KNOX. REAL IDS ARE VALID FOR 4 OR 8 YEARS. ONCE AGAIN, PASSPORTS ARE COMPLIANT.
As REAL ID deadline looms, Kentucky lawmakers call for a delay
Updated: 6:08 PM EDT Apr 23, 2025
Kentucky lawmakers are asking the Trump Administration to push back the upcoming deadline to get a REAL ID. The deadline is May 7, and people will need a REAL ID to board domestic flights and access certain federal facilities. Republican Sen. Jimmy Higdon, a state lawmaker who represents parts of LaRue, Marion, Nelson, Spencer, and Washington counties, penned a letter to the Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. Signed by 27 other state senators, they asked for the deadline to be pushed back, citing limited appointment availability and long wait times at regional licensing offices. Kentucky became REAL ID compliant in 2019 through legislation passed by the General Assembly in 2017.But Higdon says they need more time.”Kentucky, as we speak, is only 40% compliant with the REAL ID, and that’s, you know, that’s a fairly low number,” he said. He adds that the state faced setbacks in 2020 with COVID-19. Senate Bill 43, which he sponsored, was passed this legislative session and allows third-party entities to assist in issuing a license, but this will not become law until June 27. In a recent op-ed, Higdon emphasized that while the May 7 REAL ID deadline is quickly approaching, many Kentuckians may not need a REAL ID. He clarified that standard driver’s licenses will still be valid for daily use within the state, and alternatives like U.S. passports or passport cards also meet federal requirements for air travel and access to secure facilities.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. —Kentucky lawmakers are asking the Trump Administration to push back the upcoming deadline to get a REAL ID.
The deadline is May 7, and people will need a REAL ID to board domestic flights and access certain federal facilities.
Republican Sen. Jimmy Higdon, a state lawmaker who represents parts of LaRue, Marion, Nelson, Spencer, and Washington counties, penned a letter to the Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
Signed by 27 other state senators, they asked for the deadline to be pushed back, citing limited appointment availability and long wait times at regional licensing offices.
Kentucky became REAL ID compliant in 2019 through legislation passed by the General Assembly in 2017.
But Higdon says they need more time.
“Kentucky, as we speak, is only 40% compliant with the REAL ID, and that’s, you know, that’s a fairly low number,” he said.
He adds that the state faced setbacks in 2020 with COVID-19.
Senate Bill 43, which he sponsored, was passed this legislative session and allows third-party entities to assist in issuing a license, but this will not become law until June 27.
In a recent op-ed, Higdon emphasized that while the May 7 REAL ID deadline is quickly approaching, many Kentuckians may not need a REAL ID.
He clarified that standard driver’s licenses will still be valid for daily use within the state, and alternatives like U.S. passports or passport cards also meet federal requirements for air travel and access to secure facilities.
