REAL-ID-sampleThe Iowa Department of Transportation begins phasing in the federal “REAL ID” program today. It’s designed to streamline identification in situations like airport security.

The Iowa DOT’s Mark Lowe says it’s now an option when you renew your Iowa driver’s license.

You can come in with you existing license and say you want to renew your regular license and that doesn’t require any additional documentation.

“But if they decide that for reasons personal to them that they want to make sure they have expedited access to those federal facilities and purposes, the we can offer them a REAL ID approved license or identification card,” Lowe explains.

It’s not yet clear what will happen to air travelers who don’t have a REAL ID license after the program is fully implemented.

“And what we think — based on the conversations we’ve had — is that they won’t deny them access but they may require them to go through an additional screening, although we don’t know the extent of that yet. But we’re hoping over the course of the next two years that we’ll get more specific information about that,” Lowe says.

Some other forms of ID, including military identification and U.S. passports, already comply with the REAL ID program. For now, Lowe says Iowans who want a REAL ID-approved license will need to bring in all the same documentation required for those getting a license for the first time, even if they’re just getting renewal.

You can find out more about the REAL ID on the DOT’s website.