Kentucky officials ask federal government for REAL ID extension in the state
If you’ve had trouble updating your Kentucky license to be REAL ID compliant, you’re not alone.
Limited appointment availability and long wait times have hindered Kentuckians trying to update their Kentucky driver’s licenses to REAL ID’s.
Senate Transportation Committee Chair Jimmy Higdon sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security requesting an extension on the REAL ID enforcement date, which is to start May 7.
That letter was signed by 27 other Kentucky leaders, and was also sent to the members of Kentucky’s congressional delegation.
There was nothing in the letter that indicated a new potential deadline or if the federal government will respond.
You’ll need a REAL ID, which is a state identification card that is issued following federal standards, to fly and enter secure government facilities.
If you don’t have a REAL ID, your standard driver’s licenses or Kentucky ID card will still be valid for use within the state, but travelers will need additional documentation, such as a passport, to fly or enter secure government facilities.
“This simple request is to protect Kentuckians from bureaucratic burdens,” Higdon said in a news release Wednesday.
“Rural residents, seniors and families still have hurdles in front of them, and in a lot of cases, may not be aware of their options. Only about 40 percent of our residents have a REAL ID, but I would also like more time to help Kentuckians understand that they may not need a REAL ID. Kentucky has made a good-faith effort, but we just aren’t there yet.”
Congress passed the REAL ID Act in 2005 to establish federal standards for state-issued identification as part of post-9/11 security measures. The original enforcement date was 2008, but that has been postponed multiple times.
Although the country has had nearly 20 years to prepare, Kentucky is not the only state struggling to meet the federal deadline. In 17 states, less than 50% of the eligible population has gotten their Real ID, CBS News has reported.
As of the end of February, exactly 1,270,737 Kentuckians had opted for REAL ID driver’s licenses and state ID cards, state officials said. That figure represents almost 35% of the people carrying those types of credentials in the Bluegrass State.
In Kentucky, REAL ID-compliant cards are marked with a white star in a black circle.
This story was originally published April 23, 2025 at 2:29 PM.