Congress passed the Real ID act in 2005 in the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. It required states to update the security of their driver's licenses. Kentucky is one of the last states to comply with the law.
In January, Kentucky will offer a standard driver's license or a voluntary travel ID. You can only have one of these licenses. Matt Henderson, Commissioner of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, said standard licenses are okay for many purposes.
"Your standard driver's license can be used to drive, it can be used to vote, it can be used to make age-restricted purchases and for your normal business transactions. It will still be an appropriate credential for that," Henderson said.
But a voluntary travel ID is needed to board domestic flights and enter U.S. military bases after Oct. 1, 2020.
Henderson said, "This is a state-maintained credential, but it also meets all of the federal security requirements, so you can use it to board U.S. flights and enter U.S. military bases."
The travel ID will cost $48 and the standard license will cost $43. Both will last for eight years.
"We wanted to provide a convenient option and an affordable option so citizens could board those planes and enter those military bases without having to purchase an expensive federal credential," Henderson said.
Current driver's license renewal is $20 every four years.
