OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – For a number of months, Oklahomans have been struggling to acquire a REAL ID-compliant license.
Because the preliminary deadline for the REAL ID Act approached, Oklahoma officers started to scramble to ensure the state was compliant with the legislation.
Because the coronavirus pandemic unfold throughout the globe, federal officers introduced that the implementation of the legislation can be delayed.
“The federal state and native response to the unfold of #coronavirus right here within the US necessitates a delay on this deadline,” Homeland Safety Secretary Chad Wolf introduced on Twitter.
In April of 2023, the Division of Homeland Safety introduced that the proposed date to start out implementing Actual ID-compliant identification for air vacationers will now be Could 3, 2023.
It has been virtually a yr since Oklahoma began issuing REAL IDs to Oklahomans who supplied the correct paperwork for the playing cards.
Nevertheless, many shoppers have complained about lengthy traces, prolonged delays, and errors that made their licenses invalid.
On Wednesday, state leaders held a information convention to debate potential options for Oklahomans struggling to obtain REAL IDs.
One answer that’s being thought of is utilizing megacenters to assist pace up the method.
Lawmakers stated they wished to work to deal with the backlog of IDs, in order that they handed Senate Invoice 1057.
The measure, along with adjusting a few of the funding appropriations, provides Oklahomans an choice to renew their REAL ID-compliant license each eight years as a substitute of each 4 years.
At this level, lawmakers say Oklahomans are driving two hours to get an appointment to resume their driver’s license or get a REAL ID.
Nevertheless, that’s inflicting some tag businesses to turn into overwhelmed.
Because of this, officers say they’ve appropriated $6.6 million with a view to fund megacenters that will be capable of course of a considerable amount of REAL ID requests at one time.
The megacenters would comply with the identical mannequin that the state used within the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccines earlier this yr.
The primary megacenter is anticipated to be held in Oklahoma Metropolis in the summertime, earlier than one other megacenter is held in Tulsa.
The Actual ID Act was handed by Congress in 2005 and enacted the 9/11 Fee’s advice that the federal authorities “set requirements for the issuance of sources of identification, equivalent to driver’s licenses.”
“The Act established minimal safety requirements for state-issued driver’s licenses and identification playing cards and prohibits federal businesses from accepting for official functions licenses and identification playing cards from states that don’t meet these requirements,” in keeping with the DHS web site.
A Actual ID will probably be vital to realize entry to federal services, board business aircrafts, and enter nuclear energy crops.
For air vacationers flying inside the U.S., passports and these TSA-approved types of identification are additionally acceptable. Actual IDs should not legitimate for worldwide sea cruise journey, worldwide air journey, or journey throughout the borders with Canada and Mexico.
“Senate Invoice 1057 is a wanted step towards making it simpler to get a REAL ID or driver’s license and the governor is constant to work with state businesses on further options to repair the challenges Oklahomans are experiencing.”
Charlie Hannema, Chief of Communications to Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt
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