CHARLESTON, WV — DMV Commissioner Everett Frazier would like to remind customers about the upcoming federal enforcement of REAL ID, and about the differences between the two types of valid driver’s licenses and identification cards that DMV currently issues.
Federal enforcement of the REAL ID Act is set to begin on October 1, 2021. To board an aircraft or get into some federal buildings, you will need to have a REAL ID-compliant credential.
The Department of Homeland Security’s website at www.dhs.gov/real-id includes information regarding acceptable forms of REAL ID. One is a driver’s license. WV DMV does offer a REAL ID-compliant credential, often called a “For Federal” or “gold star” license or ID card. Currently, there are two different “looks” to West Virginia’s REAL ID-compliant license, due to a change in licensing vendors.
If you received your license or ID card after December 2020, you more than likely have the new look.
Learn more from the West Virginia DMV.