States must seek an extension to comply with the REAL ID law by March 31, 2008, or their residents will not be allowed to use driver’s licenses to board domestic flights as of May 11, 2008. REAL ID requires state driver’s licenses to meet strict standards in order to prevent identity theft and forgery.
Four states (Maine, Montana, New Hampshire and South Carolina) have not sent letters to the Homeland Security Department requesting extensions. The Assistant Secretary to the Homeland Security Secretary, Michael Chertoff, sent written reminders of the extension deadline to state governors Monday. While South Carolina officials claim that the governor is considering requesting an extension, officials in Maine and Montana claim no intention to seek an extension. New Hampshire is one of 17 states that passed legislation that opposed or prohibited state participation in REAL ID, and its governor has asked that the Secretary not impose REAL ID requirements on its residents.
Source: http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hGWEcbtYTTl9RTiO3YS_POnaYJ9gD8V698TG0; http://www.dhs.gov/xprevprot/programs/gc_1204567770971.shtm
