ADOT employees will be raising awareness about the AZ Travel ID law at Sky Harbor International Airport. Travelers without federally approved identification by Oct. 1, 2020 won’t be allowed to board a plane.
Beginning this holiday season, Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) officials said Arizonans may notice state employees at Sky Harbor International Airport in Phoenix to educate air travelers about the AZ Travel ID.
The AZ Travel ID is the driver license or ID card that meets the new federal ID requirements the U.S. Transportation and Security Administration will impose at all airport security checkpoints beginning Oct. 1, 2020, according to an ADOT press release.
“The AZ Travel ID is easy to get, costs less than obtaining a passport, and is the most convenient solution for getting through airport security and not taking the risk of missing your flight when the new ID rules go into place,” said Jennifer Bowser-Richards, MVD stakeholder relations manager.
ADOT officials said the Arizona Travel ID is the credential that complies with the federal REAL ID Act of 2005. It is available as both a driver license and identification card. There is a gold star embedded in the card to show that the cardholder has provided added proof of identification to ensure the license or ID meets strict federal requirements.
The cost for the ID is $25 as opposed to $145 for a new passport. Either way, without one or the other, travelers will not be allowed to board an airplane come the ID effective date.
The release noted that during peak travel times, ADOT representatives will be stationed at strategic locations in Terminal 4 of the airport to answer basic questions and provide flyers that explain what the ID is and how to get one. The flyers outline the documents needed and the AZ Travel ID website information to encourage residents to get the process started.
“Getting this vital information into the hands of flyers is crucial as the October 2020 deadline approaches, and that’s why MVD is making this added commitment to raising awareness,” Bowser-Richards said.
ADOT said the AZ Travel ID is available at all MVD offices statewide and many authorized third party offices as well. MVD appointments are encouraged, but not required, and can be made at servicearizona.com.
Brandy Rae Ramirez Brandy Rae Rameriz is an Arizona native, writer, journalist, editor, and educator with more than a decade of media experience and teaching at the university level.
