REAL ID -- can a passport card suffice?

[GalaxyBoy]

A few years ago I was traveling from Virginia to Hawaii on business and my wallet fell out of my pocket at my departure gate. Since then I've made it a habit to carry two forms of ID: my DL in my wallet and my passport in my carryon. That was a very bad day. Interestingly, the hardest part was checking into the hotel in Oahu; they eventually let me check in using a photo of my DL which DW texted me (she found my wallet at the departure airport).

One can actually fly without any ID, although it's a PITA. I thought I might have to change terminals at SFO which could have required me to exit and re-enter security, but luckily that was not the case.

[Ed_The_Gypsy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by audreyh1 Federally issued IDs are real.

SOME are. My brother tried to use his Coast Guard issued chief marine engineer's license instead. (He had to go through a FBI check and security check to get it--they are seriously security conscious after 9/11 as you well know).

No go, even though it was a Federal issued ID.

Just give them what they ask for.

[Jerry1]

Going to the DMV (Secretary of State office here in MI) tomorrow and I’ll be getting my license renewed. Since the restriction doesn’t go into effect until October 2020, I decided to wait, knowing that my license would hit renewal this month. Not sure if it cost more, but I’ll get the real ID on my DL just to be sure that when I fly I’ll have what I need. Thanks to this thread, I’ll also take my passport card on a flight I’m taking in a couple days. One of the comments made me realize that since my DL will be in sort of a limbo state since I won’t have the new one yet that they might not accept (or at least question) my temporary license that I’ll get tomorrow. Basically, they cut the corner off and staple it to a form. It’s fully compliant for driving and no officer would question it, but I’ll take a backup to the airport just to be safe.