USVI Real ID Act Compliance Deadline Extended To Oct. 2018

The U.S. Virgin Islands has been granted an extension for the Real ID Act enforcement, allowing federal agencies to accept driver’s licenses and identification cards from the U.S. Virgin Islands at federal facilities, nuclear power plants and federally regulated commercial aircraft until October 10, 2018, according to the Dept. of Homeland Security (D.H.S.).

D.H.S. had on January 8, 2016, announced that five states, along with the U.S. Virgin Islands, would have two more years to come into compliance with the Act.

“Today I announce the schedule for the final phase of implementation of the REAL ID Act. Bottom line up front: Effective January 22, 2018, air travelers with a driver’s license or identification card issued by a state that does not meet the requirements of the REAL ID Act (unless that state has been granted an extension to comply with the Act) must present an alternative form of identification acceptable to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in order to board a commercial domestic flight. Over the next two years, those states that are not REAL ID compliant are strongly encouraged to meet the requirements of the law for the benefit of their residents,” said D.H.S. Secretary Jeh Johnson in a January 2016 press release.

In April 2016, Bureau of Motor Vehicle (B.M.V.) Director Lawrence Olive, said the territory would come into compliance with the REAL ID Act by the end of 2016. B.M.V. missed its own deadline, and in May 2017, Mr. Olive again assured lawmakers that compliance would be met by the end of 2017 — but that was before Hurricanes Irma and Maria struck the territory, crippling the operations of B.M.V.

“The overall goal of the REAL ID Act passed by Congress is to prevent the fraudulent issuance and use of driver’s licenses and identification cards, thereby ensuring the safety and security of the American public. Given today’s threat environment, this requirement is as relevant now as it was when the 9/11 Commission recommended it,” Mr.Johnson said.