Maryland REAL ID: What You Need to Know
After May 3, 2023, your Maryland driver’s license must be REAL ID-compliant if you want to use it when you travel.
Written by Maxine Boyko
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
If you want to board a domestic flight using only your
Maryland driver’s license
, you’ll need to ensure it complies with the standards of the 2005 REAL ID Act by May 3, 2023.For many, a driver’s license offers more than legal authorization to drive—it also serves as a low-cost and convenient form of identification for traveling purposes. If you use your driver’s license to fly, you’ll need to update it to a REAL ID-compliant form of identification.
If you don’t know what a REAL ID is or how to get one, don’t fret. This article will clear up all your burning questions about getting a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license in
Maryland
. 
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What is REAL ID?
A REAL ID is essentially a federally accepted form of identification. In 2005, Congress passed the
REAL ID Act
to boost the minimum security standards for ID documents, including driver’s licenses. The law is set to be fully enforced in 2023. Who needs a REAL ID?
On May 3, 2023, you’ll need a REAL ID to do the following three things:
- Access federal facilities, such as military bases or secured courthouses
- Gain entry to nuclear power plants
- Board commercial flights (domestic included)
You might not see much reason to upgrade to a REAL ID if you don’t regularly visit federal facilities or power plants. However, if you’re planning to fly in 2023, you may appreciate the convenience that a REAL ID brings.
Instead of having to present additional
TSA-approved documentation
, you’ll only need to carry your REAL ID driver’s license. There’s some good news for light packers in Maryland, too. While Apple hasn’t fully disclosed how their digital driver’s license functionality will work, it will likely be following REAL ID Act standards. Key Takeaway The REAL ID Act is set to take effect in May 2023, which heightens federally-approved identification standards.
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Start earning nowHow to get a Maryland REAL ID
Getting a REAL ID in Maryland is fairly straightforward if you follow a few basic steps. First, check your status using the
REAL ID Lookup Tool
to find out if you already have a valid ID. If you find that your driver’s license is already REAL ID compliant, you don’t have to pay. If the results indicate that you need a REAL ID, you can schedule an appointment online.
Before heading to your appointment, gather all the documents you’ll need using the
REAL ID Document Guide
. You’ll need to present the following four documents when you get to the MDOT MVA: - One document proving your identity: your U.S. birth certificate or passport
- One document for proof of social security: your Social Security card or W-2 form
Take note that photocopies, digital scans, or photographs of documents will not be accepted.
If you have an older Maryland driver’s license or identification card, you will have to pay $20 for a duplicate driver’s license. If you are just looking to renew your driver’s license to get a REAL ID, you will only have to pay the standard renewal cost of $6 per year.
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Do I need a REAL ID?
Check the
Department of Homeland Security’s website
to see if you need a REAL ID under a particular set of circumstances. If you want to use your driver’s license to board a plane, it must meet REAL ID-compliant standards by May 3, 2023. 
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