KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — People across Tennessee are booking appointments at Department of Motor Vehicle locations for new REAL IDs ahead of May 7, when new federal rules will go into effect.
Starting that day, state-level ID cards like driver’s licenses will not be acceptable for federal purposes such as getting through airport security. IDs will need to be compliant with federal rules to be accepted. Congress required the new rules in 2005, but delayed the day they would take effect several times.
Jason Pack, with the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, said people will be able to get a REAL ID even after the May 7 deadline. So if people don’t expect to go into federal facilities anytime soon, they can wait. People will also be able to use documents like passports for federal purposes, like getting through airport security…