Month: April 2020
Federal REAL ID Enforcement Deadline Postponed to October 2021
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 26, 2020
Federal REAL ID Enforcement Deadline Postponed to October 2021
Harrisburg, PA –Today the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced that the Department of Homeland Security has postponed the enforcement date for REAL ID from October 1, 2020, to October 1, 2021, in response to COVID-19 and the national emergency declaration.
PennDOT closed all driver and photo license centers on March 16 and paused REAL ID issuance in the state out of an abundance of caution and in the interest of public health. Centers will reopen no sooner than April 3. PennDOT also sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, requesting that the agency consider extending the October 1, 2020 REAL ID enforcement deadline.
“We are very pleased that the Department of Homeland Security has listened to our concerns, as well as the concerns from our fellow states regarding the need for a postponement on REAL ID enforcement in the midst of this national emergency,” said PennDOT Acting Secretary Yassmin Gramian.
REAL ID is a federal law that affects how states issue driver’s licenses and ID cards if they are going to be acceptable for federal purposes. A federally-acceptable form of identification (whether it’s a Pennsylvania REAL ID driver’s license or ID card, a valid U.S. Passport/Passport Card, a military ID, etc.) must now be used on and after October 1, 2021, as identification to board a commercial flight or visit a secure federal building that requires a federally acceptable form of identification ID for access.
REAL ID is optional in Pennsylvania. There is no requirement that any resident obtain a REAL ID; PennDOT will continue to offer standard-issue driver’s licenses and photo IDs once issuance has resumed.
More information about document requirements, including a printable document checklist, can be found on the Document Check page of the PennDOT Driver and Vehicle Services website.
Customers may complete various transactions and access multiple resources via www.dmv.pa.gov.
Driver and vehicle online services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and include driver’s license, photo ID and vehicle registration renewals; driver-history services; changes of address; driver license and vehicle registration restoration letters; ability to pay driver license or vehicle insurance restoration fee; driver license and photo ID duplicates; and driver exam scheduling. There are no additional fees for using online services.
Residents and Business Owners
Dear, Residents and Business Owners:
This is Aliquippa Mayor Dwan B Walker. The COVID-19 stay at home order of Governor Wolf is a few weeks old. It is not clear whether it will end on April 30, 2020 or be extended further. Whatever happens, the Aliquippa City Council and Mayor want to thank you for your cooperation during these challenging times and to remind you to continue to stay at home.
While you are doing so, please be sensitive to the needs of your neighbors who are elderly or homebound. If you can, please socialize with them by telephone or from a distance to see what they need and whether you can help them.
Also, our local businesses are in need your support now and in the future. Many Aliquippa restaurants have take-out and would welcome the purchase or gift cards. Other life-sustaining businesses such as food stores and pharmacies remain open for business.
Please know that tax office, city building, and also public safety personnel, police, fire, ambulance and road department are all available to meet your emergency needs. Please be advised these offices are not taking walk ins. Remember tough times don’t last tough people do stay safe and healthy! Together, we will all persevere.