About 2.7 million Pennsylvanians have gotten a REAL ID, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Secretary Mike Carroll said during an April 14 update.
Starting May 7, passengers 18 and older will need a REAL ID-compliant license or another acceptable form of identification, such as a passport or military ID, to board commercial flights in the United States.
The Transportation Security Administration said in an April 11 press release that 81% of travelers are currently presenting a Real ID or other acceptable ID at TSA checkpoints.
Carroll noted that PennDOT is seeing more customers at license centers as the deadline approaches, and that REAL IDs will still be available after May 7. “So if you don’t have immediate travel plans, or already have a valid passport, maybe hold off for a few months until the rush dies down,” he said.
Dedicated times for Real ID customers are scheduled at some license centers.
The license centers at 4218 Manor Drive, Snydersville, and 18 Collan Park, Honesdale, will be open on April 28 and May 5. Hours on both days are 8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. (Typically, they are closed on Mondays.)
Kathryne Rubright is the managing editor of the Pocono Record and the Tri-County Independent. Reach her at krubright@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Pocono Record: Pennsylvania Real ID days scheduled for April 28, May 5