Kentucky Lawmakers call for REAL ID delay as appointments are backed up in NKY until June
In less than two weeks, you'll need a REAL ID to get through federal security checkpoints, such as TSA lines in airports.
But appointments are now backed up for months in Northern Kentucky.
The long lines are getting attention from state lawmakers this morning.
바카라게임 checked on Friday morning, and there are no appointments at the four offices in Northern Kentucky until the beginning of June.
It's why state senators are now calling on the Department of Homeland Security for the enforcement date to be pushed back.
Sen. Jimmy Higdon is leading this effort, with signatures from nearly 30 other Kentucky senators.
They say appointments are backing up because of COVID-19 delays and the new vision test requirement for driver's licenses.
"People are rushing to the regional offices, and it's, you know, they're just overwhelmed right now," Higdon said.
Lawmakers have already passed a bill to allow third-party offices to grant license renewals in Kentucky, but this goes into effect after the REAL ID deadline of May 7. Higdon says the state just isn't ready.
"Kentucky didn't implement it until 2019," Higdon said. "We were late to the game. A lot of those states that are 100% compliant, they put it into they started in 2005, you know, being compliant."
"The main thing is, you know, between now and May the 7th, if you don't plan to fly sometime in May or June," Higdon said, "don't get caught up in this rush to get your REAL ID."
Higdon said a REAL ID is only necessary if you're planning on taking a commercial flight in the near future.
These lawmakers say the deadline has been extended before, and having another one would make this rollout more effective.
Higdon says he's hoping for a two-year extension, but would be satisfied with another year to allow everyone to get this squared away.