Page 16 - AAA Northampton County – AAA Now! – Spring 2017

AAA
TM
MEMBER SERVICES
REAL ID GETS REAL FOR PENNSYLVANIA TRAVELERS
Pennsylvania travelers will soon need a form of identification other than the state-issued driver’s license for air travel. Following a recommendation of the 9/11 Commission, Congress passed the REAL ID Act in 2005 that “set standards for the issuance of sources of identification such as driver’s licenses.” The Act established minimum security standards for state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards, and prohibits Federal agencies such as the TSA from accepting, for official purposes, licenses and identification cards from states that do not meet these standards.
Pennsylvania and several other states have declined to adopt the Federal standards. In fact,
the state legislature passed Act 38 of 2012 requiring Pennsylvania to opt-out of REAL ID. Legislators were concerned with the burden and cost to consumers and the Department of Transportation to reissue driver’s licenses that would contain a lot more information. Pennsylvania and other states have received multiple extensions to comply, but the following deadlines are looming:
January 22, 2018:
Passengers who have a driver’s license from a state that is 1) not compliant and 2) has not
received an extension, will have to show another form of ID for domestic air travel (i.e. a passport or passport card). If Pennsylvania is able to receive an extension, they will still be able to use their state ID as usual for these flights. If PA does not receive an extension, 2018 travelers should be prepared with their passport or passport card.
October 1, 2020:
Every air traveler, no exception, will need to present a REAL ID or another form of ID for domestic travel (i.e. passport or passport card).
A passport card is a credit-card size U.S. passport that, just like a passport book, is proof of U.S. citizenship and identity. At $30, it is more convenient and less expensive than a passport book, but can only be used to re-enter the United States at land border crossings and sea ports-of-entry from:
• Canada
• Mexico
• The Caribbean
• Bermuda
Passport cards are valid for 10 years for applicants
16 and older and 5 years for applicants under 16. The passport card cannot be used for international air travel.
While the Governor and Legislature are determining which course of action to take to bring Pennsylvania into compliance with REAL ID requirements, those with future travel plans would be wise to obtain a passport or passport card to avoid any issues at
airports. Due to an
expected influx in
passport applications
this year, apply for your
passport early. Stay
tuned, in case
additional extensions
are granted.
AAA Members Save on Passport Photos
Instant passport photo service is available
at your
local AAA Northampton
County office.
Photos: $7.99 Members $12 Non-members
Plus & Premier Members receive one set of passport photos FREE!*
*One per membership year
Let fun be your only concern with one convenient, secure card for all your purchases and withdrawals.
ASK YOUR AAA TRAVEL AGENT TODAY!
ProtectMyID® through AAA delivers the peace of mind you deserve
Identity thieves won’t warn you before they strike. And even if you’ve never had a problem, you’re still at risk.
Identity thieves move quickly. But with ProtectMyID’s help, you’ll be able to react quickly as well, and get a hold of the problem.
A little bit of foresight can save quite a bit of time and heartache. As a AAA member you can get ProtectMyID Deluxe for just $8.95 a month. Sign up today and be prepared for tomorrow.
$22.90
$8.95
per month
ProtectMyID Essential and ProtectMyID Deluxe are provided by Consumerinfo.com, Inc., an Experian company. To be eligible to enroll in ProtectMyID Essential or ProtectMyID Deluxe you must be 18 years of age or older and a current valid AAA Member. Products subject to change or termination at any time without notice. Certain terms conditions and restrictions apply. Valid AAA membership required at time of enrollment.
“We never had an issue with identity theft... [until] I woke up one morning and was shocked at what I found. ProtectMyID jumped on the case, placing fraud alerts [and] assisting me... to clear up the situation. It sure is a great benefit!”
T.C., Tulsa, OK AAA Member
Visit AAA.com/IDTheft or call 877-440-6943
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3914 Hecktown Rd., Easton, PA • (610) 258-2371 • www.aaanc.com
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SPRING 2017
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