You may not even know this, but Congress passed a bill in 2005 called the Real ID Act—this means that the Federal Government has put in place certain guidelines for obtaining a driver’s license, and are making it mandatory to have one to travel. So, if you are a Maryland resident and have one of the old state licenses, you will be required to either get the new driver’s license from the Motor Vehicle Authority (MVA) or use your passport to travel through airport security checkpoints beginning October 1, 2020.
How Do I Obtain The New License?
Plan a visit to the MVA, and make sure to have the following four documents with you to avoid being turned away after waiting in those long lines that we all dread at the MVA.
- One proof of age and identity: You may use sources such as a valid, unexpired U.S. passport or an original or certified copy of your U.S. birth certificate
- One proof of Social Security: For example, you may use a W-2 form or SSA-1099 or an original Social Security card.
- Two proofs of Maryland residency: You can choose two from the following list: insurance card, credit card bill, vehicle registration, utility bill, bank statement, or mail from a federal, local, or state government agency.
What If I Do Not Travel Or Plan To Travel On An Airplane?
You still want to ensure that you comply with all the laws and regulations in our state. This bill passed in 2005 is a statewide law that our state has been implementing since January 1, 2018. If you have received your driver’s license after January 1, 2018, then you are in compliance with the law. If not, you want to check with the MVA as they have an online tool located on their website that you can use to confirm if your driver’s license is compliant.
If you do not make the change to your driver’s license by October 1, 2020, then you run the risk of not only being denied entry on a domestic flight, but you will also run the risk of your driver’s license being suspended.
Once your driver’s license is suspended, it can affect your auto insurance rates. It is imperative to check with your local MVA office and make sure that your driver’s license is current with the new laws.
Whether your current driver’s license is compliant with the new Maryland State laws or not, you still need to be insured to be on the road, contact Maryland Auto Insurance today for a no-hassle quote.