Why seeing a star on your driver's license is a good thing

I remember in elementary school those little gold, silver, red, green and blue foil star stickers the teacher would put at the top of my paper, each color reflecting my grade: gold for the perfect score of 100; silver for 90s; blue for 80s; and green for 70s. If I saw a red star, just forget it, because that meant redoing the whole assignment, usually DURING recess, or when I got home from school DURING my favorite TV shows — Woody Wood Pecker, Tom & Jerry and Heathcliff.

Let's see if you pass the star test or if you'll be caught at your local Department of Motor Vehicles during your recess, what we adults commonly call our lunch break! Take out your driver's license. Does it have a black or gold star on it? If so, you passed and your lunch break is safe. If not, looks like a trip to your state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is in your future if you plan on using your driver's license to fly.

Back in 2005, Congress passed the Real ID Act, designed to ensure that people boarding a flight or entering a federal building are exactly who they claim to be in all U.S. states and territories including Puerto Rico, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands and U.S. Virgin Islands. Now, 14 years later, all states and territories are compliant or have an extension (Maine, New Jersey, Oklahoma and Oregon are extended until Oct. 10, 2019) and are awaiting each and every citizen over the age of 18 to pay a visit to their local DMVs.

Technically you have until October 1, 2020 to get your star, but as busy security professionals, 13 months will pass faster than a hot knife through butter! (That's Texan for “quickly.”)� So, here are some strategies and tips to make the process as painless as possible:

Decide if you even need a Real ID. If you want to fly with only your state-issued ID, don't have a passport or other TSA-approved ID or need to visit a security federal facility, such as a military base, then yes, you do need a Real ID.

If you only need your state-issued ID for identification purposes, don't mind bringing a TSA-approved ID, like a passport, starting October 1, 2020, or are under age 18, then no, you do NOT need a Real ID.

Physically go to a DMV office. Be sure to bring along identification documents such as a birth certificate and passport. Some states are requiring up to four pieces of identification, so be sure to check your state's requirements BEFORE standing in that long line, finally arriving at the clerk's desk after a five hour wait (that's the typical wait time in Texas) just to be turned away to go back home, retrieve said documents and then wait another five hours in line! (As “they” say, “Everything's bigger in Texas;” I guess that includes these lines, too!)

• Tip #1: To be on the safe side, at the very least, bring proof of identity, social security number and residency, proof of name change (if applicable) and of course, money (a fee is involved).
• Tip #2: I would suggest bringing cash and/or check in case your DMV doesn't accept credit cards or charges a fee. It looks like North Carolina is the cheapest at $13.00 and Massachusetts is the highest at $85.00. Check your particular state's DMV website for the fee schedule.
• Tip #3: If your state allows it, make an appointment to visit your DMV. This will cut back on wait time and frustration.

I wish you well on your endeavor to obtain your star!