Wolf signs Real ID law; new licenses should be ready by 2019

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Gov.Tom Wolf’s office said Pennsylvania driver’s licenses that are compliant with tougher federal anti-terrorism standards should be available in early 2019.

Mr. Wolf signed legislation Friday designed to bring Pennsylvania into compliance with the 2005 Real ID law enacted following the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks. The Real ID-compliant licenses or state identification cards will be needed to access airports and federal facilities.

Pennsylvania’s new law createsa two-tiered system:

Residents who want the new license can apply for one through the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation;

Those who don't can continue receiving the state's standard driver's license or photo ID card, but should be made aware that their movements will be restricted withouta passport.

Pennsylvania was among a handful of states that had resisted implementing the standards, but the federal government had set a June 6 deadline for the state to show itwas in compliance.

The new forms of ID will be required starting in January, although PennDOT estimates that the state’s new Real ID-compliant driver’s licenses and identification cards won’t be available until March 2019. Officials expect Homeland Security will give thestate an extension.

Who will shoulder the cost for the state's compliance with the Real ID law remains unclear. Currently, it costs $30.50 to renew a standard driver's license or obtain a new license, and $29.50 to get a photo ID card. Legislators earlier this week said they would let PennDOT determine whether the new licensewould cost more.

Passed by Congress in 2005 following recommendations by the 9/11 Commission, the Real ID Act established security standards for state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards, and prohibited federal agencies from accepting licenses and ID cards from states that do not meetthese standards.

In 2012, Pennsylvania's Legislature passed a law, signed by Republican Gov. Tom Corbett, to block the state from implementing the Real ID law. Critics viewed it as a costly federal overreach that would force states to participate in a national registry of license holders.

At the time, PennDOT estimated the cost of Real ID at more than $100 million to implement and approximately $40 million to maintain annually.