© 2024 Kansas City Public Radio
NPR in Kansas City
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Missouri given extension for Real ID compliance for military bases, nuclear plants

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has extended Missouri’s time to comply with the federal Real ID law, which means Missouri residents can use a current driver’s license to get into federal facilities, military bases and nuclear power plants.

Nationwide, Real ID-compliant identification has been required to get into such facilities since October 2015. Missouri’s extension goes through Oct. 10, Homeland Security spokeswoman Justine Whelan said. The extension was granted Monday. 

Gov. Eric Greitens signed a billlast month giving state residents the option to get driver’s licenses or other identification cards that complywith the Real ID guidelines. Missouri residents have until Jan. 22, 2018, to obtain Real ID-compliant identification to board airplanes.

Republican U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt was one of the original co-sponsors of the 2005 REAL ID Act.

“The concept of an extension is a measure of cooperation between DHS and the state,” Whelan said. “Obviously, implementation can’t happen overnight. States need maybe funds, resources, infrastructure, whatever it may be. In which case, we can see that they’re moving toward compliance and just need a little extra time.”

Spokespersons for Greitens and the state Department of Revenue did not return messages Tuesday about when Real ID-compliant identification would be available.

If Missouri residents don’t have a Real ID compliant driver’s license, they would have to show another form of identification, such as a passport. Whelan said “it’s too far out” to comment about future extensions.

“No states have extension that go [until January 2018],” Whelan said. “So states would have to have renewed extensions to be exempt from having alternative identification at airports.”

Once Real ID-compliant licenses are offered, a Missouri resident who wants to switch from their current license will have to pay the full price of a license: $16.

In a joint statement Tuesday, U.S. Sens. Claire McCaskill, a Democrat, and Republican Roy Blunt praised the extension. McCaskill said it’s “important that Missourians are able to continue business as usual while the state works on transitioning to new IDs,” while Blunt stated he’ll continue to work with DHS and Greitens to “ensure a smooth transition.”

Follow Jason on Twitter: @jrosenbaum

Copyright 2020 St. Louis Public Radio. To see more, visit .

Since entering the world of professional journalism in 2006, Jason Rosenbaum dove head first into the world of politics, policy and even rock and roll music. A graduate of the University of Missouri School of Journalism, Rosenbaum spent more than four years in the Missouri State Capitol writing for the Columbia Daily Tribune, Missouri Lawyers Media and the St. Louis Beacon. Since moving to St. Louis in 2010, Rosenbaum's work appeared in Missouri Lawyers Media, the St. Louis Business Journal and the Riverfront Times' music section. He also served on staff at the St. Louis Beacon as a politics reporter. Rosenbaum lives in Richmond Heights with with his wife Lauren and their two sons.
KCUR serves the Kansas City region with breaking news and award-winning podcasts.
Your donation helps keep nonprofit journalism free and available for everyone.