BISMARCK – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has provided a waiver to the state of North Dakota for compliance with the REAL ID Act of 2005. This means the current North Dakota driver’s license and identification card is accepted for access into federal facilities, including military installations and boarding aircraft, until October 2020. After October 2020, only REAL ID compliant credentials will be accepted for this purpose.

The North Dakota Department of Transportation is currently in the process of implementing REAL ID. It is estimated that REAL ID credentials in North Dakota will begin being issued in the summer of 2018.

There are several documents each applicant will need in order to process a REAL ID compliant credential. These documents along with additional information are listed on the NDDOT website at www.dot.nd.gov/divisions/driverslicense/real-id-information.

Closer to the issuance of REAL ID compliant credentials, the N.D. Department of Transportation will provide additional information regarding actual dates the service begins. Transportation Department officials urge people to begin gathering their documents soon so when REAL ID starts it should be a quick and easy process.