Real ID: Extra driver’s license security good for air travelers

If you travel on commercial airliners and use your Nevada driver’s license as an identification card when you pass through the security line at the airport, you’re going to have to spice up your ID card the next time you renew it.

The federal Real ID Act of 2005, designed to combat terrorism, identity theft and fraud crimes involving the use of a state-issued identification cards, became effective last year.

What that means is eventually, those of us who use state-issued driver’s licenses will need to upgrade to Real ID if we want to use them at the airport.

Eventually, Real ID cards also will be necessary to enter secure federal buildings. Banks also may require Real ID on some transactions.

Don’t worry if you’re planning to travel in the next few weeks and don’t have Real ID. We’re in a transition period, and no one will be prevented from flying if they don’t have Real ID yet. Authorities will start checking in 2016.

What is Real ID? It’s simply another level of identity check that will be noted on your driver’s license if you choose to obtain a Real ID-compliant license.

“Having a Real ID-compliant card is optional,” said Kevin Malone, a spokesman for the Nevada Motor Vehicles Department. “But eventually, you’re going to need one if you use your driver’s license as an ID when you fly.”

Here’s what to do:

The next time you need your driver’s license renewed, you’ll need to take some additional materials to the DMV office if you want to be Real ID compliant.

In the past, Nevada drivers needed to renew every four years. That’s transitioning to renewal every eight years except for motorists 65 and older.

For Real ID, you’ll need proof of identity, proof of Social Security number and two documents proving Nevada residency.

For identity, you can use a state-issued birth certificate, a valid U.S. passport or passport card, a certificate of naturalization or a certificate of citizenship.

For proof of Social Security number, bring a Social Security card, a W-2 form, a pay stub with a Social Security number, an employment check stub with a Social Security number or tax records with a Social Security number.

To prove your Nevada residency, you need two documents which can include a mortgage or rental receipt, a utility statement, bank or credit card statement or an employment pay stub.

If you need more information, visit the link on the DMV website for information on the Real ID Act in Nevada.

What you’ll get for your trouble is a driver’s license that looks pretty much like the ones we get now, except for one important difference: The Real ID-compliant license will have a gold circle with a white star on the upper right side of the license.

If you can’t recall the cost of license renewal — or if you’re unsure of what it is, now that we’re going to eight-year renewals — the fee is $22.25 if you were born in an odd-numbered year (good for just four years if you must get it this year) or $41.25 if you were born in an even-numbered year (good for eight years when you renew in 2017).

If you’re 65 or older, the cost is $17.25.

CLOSED BIKE PATH

Warrior reader Helene has been stopped in her tracks by a bicycle path closure:

“Our favorite place to take a long walk is the bike path along the western 215 Beltway between Sahara Avenue and Town Center Drive. It has been closed for several weeks. Do you know the reason that it is closed and when it will reopen?”

There are all kinds of reasons roads, sidewalks and, sometimes, bike paths are closed. Most often, it’s due to repairs or maintenance that doesn’t take too long to resolve.

In the case of the bike path Helene likes to walk, it’s a utility line upgrade.

NV Energy requires access to areas around the bike path for improvements for upcoming residential service.

Clark County spokesman Dan Kulin said the path is expected to be closed through mid-February, but at that time, Helene’s favorite walking path will be ready to roll.

BLUE DIAMOND TRAFFIC LIGHTS

Warrior reader Andrew is seeing traffic pick up on Blue Diamond Road as southwest Las Vegas continues to flourish:

“I was wondering if there is any news on potential traffic lights at Fort Apache Road and El Capitan Way on Blue Diamond? These intersections continue to get worse with the amount of people moving into the region, and it’s becoming more dangerous almost daily. Sometimes in the afternoon, westbound traffic turning south on El Capitan creates a hazard. We have also heard that a right-turn lane from North Durango Drive onto Blue Diamond was to be completed in November, however that has long passed with nothing being done.”

Tony Illia, spokesman for the Nevada Transportation Department, said the department, which oversees Blue Diamond because it’s also state Route 160, conducted a road safety audit last year.

“The results show that traffic signals could be used at Fort Apache Road and El Capitan Way,” Illia said. “As a result, both intersections are expected to solicit bids for improvements later this year, depending upon available funding.”

You might recall that in August, the department completed four-way signalization at Blue Diamond and Cimarron roads, improving safety for both pedestrians and motorists.

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