To Do List for 2019: Get a New Texas Drivers License
The Real ID Act will be a part of Texas in the year 2020. Let's all go ahead and take out our drivers license and see if it has a white star in a gold circle off to the right like the photo above?
No star? Then you will need to get a new drivers license this year if you plan on getting on an airplane or entering a federal building in the state of Texas next year. Pretty much that simple. If you do not have a Real ID by October 1st, 2020, you will potentially have to show a secondary form of approved ID to board a plane or enter a federal building. No official word yet on what the acceptable secondary identification will include. What's that? You didn't bring your lease, bank statement, or a piece of mail to the airport? Darn it.
It probably goes without saying but we are specifically talking about your driver's license. You may certainly use your passport as usual. A few people in the hall actually mentioned perhaps this will be what makes them file the paperwork to go get a passport. While more reliable, a passport is considerably more expensive than updating your license. Who would have thought one day a passport would be the more reliable way not get hassled about your identification while traveling within the country. Ahh.
If you are like me these things sneak up on you. You know it's coming but its a year away. Then boom, you can't get on a plane. So I'll be getting in line to get mine updated. I probably need to see about a passport as well. Won't be long before they only take that I wonder. Here is a link to a list of frequently asked questions about the Real ID Act.
Also, remember that starting in 2018 the DPS only issues a Drivers License or an Identification Card. The days of getting both are over.