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(WGNO) — The Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles will begin issuing REAL ID compliant driver’s licenses and identification cards on October 3.

There’s no need to rush to get one.  The cards will not be required for air travel until October 2020.

“I am proud this option will now be available for those citizens who want to have one”, Governor Edwards says in a written statement about the cards.  “The goal of the REAL ID is to help safeguard against potential danger.  This will help protect our family, friends and communities and reinforce our sense of public safety which we all value.  Very soon, anyone who wants to take a commercial flight or enter a federal building where identification is required will have to present a REAL ID or produce two forms of identification, so I encourage Louisianans to make use of this new form of ID.”

The federal REAL ID Act was enacted by Congress in 2005 and recommended by the 9/11 Commission. It sets higher security standards for state-issued identification cards and drivers licenses.

People who currently have a driver’s license or identification card that will not expire anytime soon will not have to renew their cards early.  The OMV says you’ll be offered the REAL ID option when it’s time for you to renew your card as scheduled.

You can get more information on the OMV website.