North Dakota REAL ID: What You Need to Know
Effective May 3, 2023, all U.S. travelers on domestic flights must present a REAL-ID compliant North Dakota driver’s license before boarding.
Written by Andrea Barrett
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
If you’re a North Dakota resident hoping to fly domestically, effective May 3, 2023, you will be required to upgrade your driver’s license, permit, or ID card to a REAL ID-compliant form of identification.
Holding a driver’s license means you’re legally able to operate a car, but it’s so much more than that, too! A driver’s license is an incredibly important piece of identification.
Currently, you’re able to board domestic flights using your license, but as of May 2023, you’ll have to upgrade to a REAL ID-compliant version (if you don’t have one already) to board domestic flights or enter government buildings.
If you’ve been considering switching to a REAL ID but aren’t sure where to start,
car insurance
genius and broker app Jerry
is here to walk you through the steps to take to upgrade to a REAL ID-compliant North Dakota driver’s license. Keep reading for this and more—including how to keep your North Dakota insurance costs
low.What is REAL ID?
September 11, 2001, in New York caused a major security uproar that led to the development of the
REAL ID Act
. It was passed in 2005 to establish better minimum security standards for driver’s licenses and identification documents to reduce identity fraud. The act prohibits the acceptance of driver’s licenses and ID cards that don’t meet certain requirements to be used as proof of identity in specific circumstances. Implementation of the REAL ID Act has been on the slow side, but as of May 2023, you can expect it to be fully enforced.
Who needs a REAL ID?
Effective May 3, 2023, if you want to do any of the following, you will need a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license:
- Board a domestic flight
- Enter a military base or other federal facilities (courthouse, prison, etc.)
- Access a nuclear power plant
However, not having a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license may not inhibit you from boarding a plane or entering these facilities if you can provide
additional documentation
along with your traditional driver’s license or ID. A North Dakota REAL ID looks identical to a regular driver’s license but will have a gold star in the top right corner.
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How to get a North Dakota REAL ID
Ready to upgrade your North Dakota driver’s license to a REAL ID-compliant one? Here are the steps you should follow:
Use the North Dakota
REAL ID Checklist
to ensure you’ve collected all of the required documents, including:- Proof of identification (birth certificate, valid permanent resident card, etc.)
- Valid U.S. passport or valid, unexpired foreign passport
- Proof of name change (if applicable)
- Proof of Social Security number
- Two documents proving North Dakota residency
Anyone applying for a REAL ID for the first time must visit a
DMV office
during regular business hours. You can use the North Dakota Department of Transportation online portal
to make an appointment. The fee for a REAL ID is the same as a normal driver’s license. The fee to renew your license and upgrade to a REAL ID is $15. If you are not renewing and only upgrading, it is $8.
How to save money on car insurance in North Dakota
If you’re thinking about traveling domestically, you’ll have to upgrade to a North Dakota REAL ID-compliant driver’s license starting May 3, 2023. If you aren’t keen on flying, driving is a great alternative!
But before heading out, you’ll want to make sure you have the proper car insurance to keep you protected. Car insurance expert and licensed broker app
Jerry
can help you find the coverage you need at a price you can afford. All you have to do is download our
trustworthy super app
for free, enter your information, and Jerry searches 50+ of the top insurance providers, delivering the best deals straight to you. Once you’ve found the policy you want, Jerry will get you switched over and even help cancel your old insurance. Jerry users save an average of $800+ a year on car insurance!
“All of the insurance quotes I saw were over $600 a month because of my age. Then I stumbled uponJerry, and they sliced my price in half! They found me the lowest rate, thank goodness.” —Will V.
"I’m earning
awesome rewards
every week, just for driving safe!”
Patricia W.
Reviewed on 5/28/2023
Do I need a REAL ID?
If you aren’t certain whether you should get a REAL ID, the
Department of Homeland Security
has an interactive tool that can help you figure out whether you need one or not. However, if you’re planning to fly domestically and don’t have another form of identification, you’ll need to upgrade to a REAL ID before May 3, 2023.
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