Homeland Security grants temporary Real ID extension, allowing CA driver's licenses to be used to fly
California has been granted a reprieve from rules that could have prevented millions of Californians from flying anywhere without a passport or other federally accepted ID.
The Transportation Security Administration told ABC sister station KFSN-TV on Wednesday, "According to (the Department of Homeland Security), California's extension has been extended through April 1, 2019, to allow sufficient time to complete the review of their REAL ID compliance certification."
The DMV said the extension allows all valid California driver's licenses and ID cards to continue to be accepted for federal purposes such as boarding domestic commercial flights.
California's previous extension for its Real ID program was set to expire tomorrow.
If the extension had expired, all California driver's licenses and ID cards could have been declared invalid for domestic air travel.
MORE: 2 million Californians issued Real IDs now need to show extra documentation
The DMV blamed the government shutdown and the federal government's lack of response for the delay in receiving the extension.
Late last year, Homeland Security notified the DMV that its process for providing residents with federally recognized identification cards is not adequate.
Because of the inadequacies, those who have received those cards will have to submit additional documentation to validate their IDs.
Real IDs began to be issued in response to the 9/11 Commission's ruling, which required states to have a standardized, more secure ID for travelers boarding domestic flights.
