New York State residents worrying about whether they'll have the proper I-D to get on an airplane can rest a bit easier.
The state has been granted an extension of a federal standard.
The concern expressed by county clerks and others around the state was that travelers might have problems boarding planes next year because New York's driver's licenses are not compliant with a federal standard called "REAL ID."
Congress passed the Real ID Act in 2005, but New York is one of four states that have not yet updated their licenses to comply with the federal legislation.
New York's enhanced driver's license does meet those standards, but not everyone has those, and they are more expensive than the standard license.
Now, the state DMV has announced that Homeland Security has given New York State a one-year extension to meet the federal standard. During the extension period, any New Yorker with a standard driver's license or non-driver ID will be able to board an airplane or enter a federal building without having to provide secondary identification.
