The enforcement deadline for REAL ID has been pushed back to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced there will be a 12-month delay, extending the deadline for states to comply until Oct. 1, 2021, as states across the country are temporarily closing or restricting access to DMVs.

Extending the deadline will also allow the Department to work with Congress to implement needed changes to expedite the issuance of REAL IDs once the current health crisis concludes.

REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses will be required to fly domestically, after legislation passed by Congress in 2005 aimed to unify security standards for the IDs across states.

When normal operations resume, Arkansas residents can get a REAL ID at any of these regional offices.

If you have questions about how to obtain a REAL ID, check out the Arkansas DFA website.