TSA Lets You Use Expired License If You Can’t Renew It Because Of COVID-19

TSA Lets You Use Expired License If You Can’t Renew It Because Of COVID-19

As many Americans have been locked up for six weeks or more, some people may have an expired license.  In many states, state licensing agencies are not open and online options are not available for things like renewing a license.  So how can you travel with an expired ID?  Thankfully, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) lets you use and expired license for a limited time because of the impacts of coronavirus.

According to the TSA’s website, passengers can use an expired state license or state-issues ID if it expired on or after March 1, 2020.  This  applies to anybody who is unable to renew their license at their state driver’s license agency.  The TSA will accept expired licenses or state-issued IDs for a year after expiration.

Of course, the current status of your licensing agency depends by state.  Also keep in mind that some states have set a requirement where you must renew the expired license within a certain timeframe after the DMV reopens.

Last month, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced it was extending the deadline for Real ID enforcement.  DHS is now pushing enforcement back to October 1, 2021.  That’s a year extension from when enforcement was supposed to begin.  For a list of your state or territory’s Real ID status, visit the DHS website.

Bottom Line

This might be helpful for those who have to travel for an essential reason or as travel restarts.  But the bottom line is if your state-issued license or ID expired on or after March 1, 2020, you’re still good to use it to get through TSA security screening.  Just be sure to make yourself aware of local laws about when your state’s licensing agency reopens and requirements for renewing it during that time.