Can you imagine waiting in those long security lines at the airport and when you get to the front, you're turned away because your ID -- which is valid -- does not meet security standards for boarding a plane? That's the concern for many Kentuckians when it comes to the Real ID Act.
QUESTION
Do you need a passport or some other form of ID to board a plane if you have a Kentucky driver's license or ID?
SOURCES
Department of Homeland Security
Kentucky Transportation Cabinet
WHAT WE FOUND
Real ID is the federal law establishing minimum security standards for state issued ID's and driver's licenses. The law prohibits federal agencies, like TSA, from accepting ID's from states which don't meet the law's minimum standards.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, Kentucky is 1 of 20 states which do not meet those standards.
The remaining 30, which include Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia and Tennessee are compliant.
However, Kentucky and the other non-compliant states were granted an extension by the Department of Homeland Security to meet compliance. The extension lasts until October 10, 2018.
"At that time, the federal Department of Homeland Security is expected to issue additional extensions to Kentucky and numerous other states as these states work toward compliance with federal law," a notice on the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet website reads.
CONCLUSION
No, you do not need a passport to get through airport security if you have a Kentucky ID or driver's license. It is still good for the foreseeable future.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION