Due to circumstances resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic and the national emergency declaration, the Department of Homeland Security, as directed by President Donald J. Trump, is extending the REAL ID enforcement deadline beyond the current October 1, 2020 deadline. It was determined that states require a twelve-month delay, so the new deadline for REAL ID enforcement is October 1, 2021. DHS will publish a notice of the new deadline in the Federal Register in the coming days. 

The federal, state, and local response to the spread of COVID-19 in the United States necessitates a delay in the deadline. State and local partners are working tirelessly with the Administration to flatten the curve and, therefore, DHS wants to remove any impediments to response and recovery efforts. States across the country are temporarily closing or restricting access to DMVs. This action will preclude millions of people from applying for and receiving their REAL IDs once the current health crisis concludes. 

Protecting both the health and national security of the American people continues to be the top priority for the President of the United States and the Department of Homeland Security.