The U.S. Congress recently passed the REAL ID Act, which requires states to issue a form of identification with higher security standards.
North Carolina, along with many other states, is incorporating the concept into state-issued driver licenses. REAL ID licenses will be marked with a gold star, while regular licenses will carry a “not for federal identification” disclaimer.
REAL ID licenses will provide increased security through identity and residency verification. By October 2020, this license will provide sufficient identification for domestic air travel and for access to many federal facilities.
REAL ID licenses cost the same as previous licenses and are obtainable at a North Carolina driver license office. Additional documentation will be required to verify a person’s identity. Individuals whose licenses are outside the six-month renewal period can still obtain a REAL ID for $13.
Visit the NCDOT website for more information on REAL ID.