To quell the confusion here are the ID's that qualify for domestic air travel and ground/water travel to Canada or Mexico.
https://komonews.com/news/local/was...R9s_2rJXKzkKWT0gM0lAv7CrQuNNXMPh6gWBDVvE

We just checked into this and a passport will do fine even for domestic. But if one doesn't want to carry a passport then that person should get the enhanced license for free when renewing the driver's license. If not done at renewal then there is a charge to get one. Not sure what that cost is. This info given to hubby 2 days ago when re renewed his driver's license in the state of RI

This varies from state to state, but here in RI it is $26.50 to get a Real ID out of renewal cycle. My wife just did her's and it was pretty painless. She was most upset that they wouldn't allow her to smile in the photo.

I'm really not sure which states this applies to, as I thought all states are now issuing real ID Driver's Licenses for new licenses? I just got my Florida DL renewed (early) and I think all new Florida DL are real ID. Interesting that a tribal ID card is counted as real ID. I saw one I think for the first time yesterday. Didn't realize such a thing existed, although I never really thought about it.

eightzerobits--Florida used to have that rule about not smiling, but they did away with it and now we in the Sunshine State are free to smile!

Carol, does your new FL DL have a star on the upper right corner?
Mine doesn't and I am dreading going to DMV. Apparantly you cannot renew online
if you renewed online last time.
So I shall just use my passport I guess.

Yes, my new DL has a star. I went in and got a new DL, before it was due, because I went to fly with my DL and the picture was so old, the TSA almost didn't let me fly on it, said it didn't look like me!! Here, I made an appointment online for DMV to get the new license. I was in and out right on time! Check to see if you can make an appointment online there.

Other options for Domestic travel are:
Passport Card
Global Entry Card
Enhanced License depending on cost- Wash St is not free
Or any other government issued picture ID

We are not allowed to smile for our passport pics. Nowhere in the Google universe is there a reasonable explanation of why some no-name civil servant who, 50 yards outside of his cubicle office becomes a nobody, made this rule up.
Perhaps it is because we Canucks are such pushy, loud, rude, pushy, snarly, miserable, obnoxious, pushy, unpleasant people that we are often mistaken for people from New York CIty.
I apologize to all New Yorkers for that backhand. And I am sorry. It probably will not happen again.

Are you saying you're pushy? Lol

I got my starred id very early, in Ohio, and I recall that they gave a prorated or other credit for my unexpired term. I believe I got it last April.
I have it in addition to my passport. It is your pass to federal buildings as well.
I hope they don’t consider post offices “federal buildings” !

Don
Love retirement !

Our NC Drivers licenses are not real IDs unless we go to DMV with proof of our identification and residence. We did that when we renewed, and now have the star on the license. Didn't really need to, as we have passports and Global Entry cards, but it's just easier not to have to worry about carrying something else for domestic travel.

You'd be surprised which places you can't enter unless you have a real ID

Most places in DC 70 historic buildings, 6 national landmarks.

any building that houses various government departments & agencies within a federal system: courthouses, post offices. to name a few. My niece woks at NASA and now must show her passport because her driver's license doesn't have a "star".

Huh. That's surprising. Had not heard that before, although it's been a while since I've been in DC (thank god!! ). I'm sure it's not the case for post offices here though, as they don't require ID to enter. State courthouses around here don't either, although it's been a while since I've been in a federal courthouse.

REAL ID

You can find answers to a lot of questions and information for the public, the states and federal enforcement also. Look under "Frequently Asked Questions" and be sure to click on the "+" to expand the questions and answers.

A "Real ID" is NOT required to enter post offices.

You do NOT need a REAL ID to:

Drive.
Vote.
Access hospitals.
Visit the post office.
Access federal courts.
Apply for or receive federal benefits, such as social security or veterans’ benefits.

Most states have similar sites and information but HERE is a link to the IL Real ID site and FAQ.

OK, thanks for looking that up.