It was made clear this week by the Transportation Security Administration that a Costco membership card is insufficient to show at airport security.
The TSA posted on Facebook on Wednesday, saying, “We love hotdogs and rotisserie chickens as much as the next person, but please stop telling people their Costco card counts as a REAL ID because it absolutely does not.”
Less than a month has passed since the United States started requiring a REAL ID driver’s license for domestic travel on May 7.
Domestic travelers may also use their passports or another federally-approved form of identification, such as Defense Department-issued IDs (but not a Costco card), in addition to REAL IDs, which have higher government standards.
“Department of Defense IDs for active and retired military continue to be an acceptable form of ID at TSA checkpoints following the implementation of REAL ID last month,” the TSA stated on Facebook Thursday.
Long queues at Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) offices nationwide and a great deal of misunderstanding have resulted from the implementation of REAL ID standards, which were imposed by a federal law approved in 2005.
By establishing more stringent requirements for identity verification, the law—which was inspired by the 9/11 Commission’s recommendations—aims to improve the security of driver’s licenses and identification cards issued by the state.
Even though REAL IDs have been out for years, there was a last-minute rush because many Americans didn’t get them until right before the enforcement deadline.
DMV centers saw a spike in applications in April and early May, with several offices reporting long wait times and crowding. Confusion over the paperwork needed to get a REAL ID was a major contributing factor in the issue.
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Uncertain if a passport, birth certificate, Social Security card, or other forms of identification were adequate, many people showed up at the DMV without the required documentation.
In addition to taxing DMV resources, this wave of procrastination brought attention to the continued ignorance of the REAL ID procedure among the general public.
Although many tourists are still not aware of this option, a valid U.S. passport can be used in lieu of a REAL ID for air travel and access to federal facilities.
Before going to the DMV, officials continue to advise the public to be ready and make sure they have the necessary paperwork.
