Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) Commissioner Spencer R. Moore and TSA Regional Spokesperson Mark Howell met with reporters this week at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport to discuss the upcoming REAL ID requirements and enforcement.  Georgia has been in compliance with the REAL ID ACT since 2012, and more than 96% of residents already have a compliant ID.

“There are very few states that have 96.2% compliance with REAL ID implementation. We are very proud of that as it means Georgia continues to have one of the most secure licensing processes in the nation,” said DDS Commissioner Spencer R. Moore.

With over eight million cardholders, it is expected that less than 20,000 of those on Georgia’s driver history data base could be without a Real ID on October 1, 2020.  At that time, individuals will not be allowed to clear TSA or enter a Federal building using a non-compliant state-issued driver’s license/ID Card.  Real ID cards show that the holder has presented the required Homeland Security information during their issuance process and have a card marked with a gold or black star in the righthand corner.

Georgia’s process proactively issues Real IDs to all customers who presented the required documentation.  Many states created a separate credential or allowed customers to opt out of  Real ID issuance which likely added to their scramble now. 

For customers without a Real ID card, please review the required documentation provided at this link http://online.dds.ga.gov/SecureID/accepteddocs.aspx and remember Tuesday is the busiest day to visit DDS in person.

Those citizens who have a Real ID black or gold star on their card do not have to present documentation again or visit in person.  DDS recommends downloading the free mobile app, DDS 2 GO, to renew or replace a license or ID and receive a five-dollar discount.