Angelika The USA, as is well known, does not have a registration law or a document like a EU grade identity card. Nevertheless, one still needs to identify oneself. This is usually done with a driver's license, which is not only needed for driving a car but also to prove that you are indeed who you claim to be. And for those of you who are particularly attentive readers and are now wondering: what do the poor people who never learned to drive, who surprisingly also exist in the USA, do about that? Here is the solution to the puzzle: There is the option to apply for a driver's license that only serves as an ID, but does not grant driving privileges.

In the United States, the issuance of driver's licenses falls under the jurisdiction of individual states. Until now, they had considerable freedom regarding the appearance of the document, and the requirements on which documents needed to be presented to obtain a driver's license. There were no uniform rules or security regulations that applied to all states. However, within the United States, a driver's license is sufficient, for example, to board a plane. So, when we flew to Hawaii every year before the pandemic, we only carried our regular California driver's license every time, and no passport as identification in our luggage.

This is about to change soon. Starting May 3, 2023, every air traveler will need a driver's license with standardized security features, the so-called "Real ID," to fly within the USA. "Real ID" roughly translates to "Real Identification Document." Of course, anyone with a valid passport can also board a flight. However, only 42% of Americans possess a passport, with the rest having never traveled outside of the country. Years ago, this number was even lower.

The name "Real ID" is derived from the corresponding law, namely the "Real ID Act," which was passed by the American Congress back in 2005. Yes, you read that correctly, the law is a whopping 17 years old, a truly complicated birth. After the attacks on September 11, 2001, in which some of the terrorists boarded the later hijacked planes with regular American driver's licenses that they should not have been able to obtain, the 9/11 Commission recommended tightening and standardizing the requirements for obtaining a driver's license in the various states. This led to the aforementioned law in 2005, which, however, received a lot of criticism from both conservative and liberal camps. Many argued that a national identification document was being introduced through the back door, which is an absolute red flag for many Americans. As a result, some states initially refused to implement the new requirements, and the introduction of the "Real ID" was repeatedly postponed: from 2008 to 2009, then from 2011 to 2013, and finally to October 2020.

Before the deadline in October 2020, the big race to obtain Real IDs had already begun many months earlier, at least here in California. This was because when applying for a "Real ID" for the first time, one must appear in person at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), which led to a situation where there were no more appointments available and complete chaos ensued at one of the most unpopular agencies in America. Although the DMV now presents itself as modern, and many things can be done through the online portal, I often found myself pulling my hair out because it was extremely cumbersome to get the right form, which needed to be filled out online before the in-person appointment at the DMV to speed up the process. Allegedly, the applicant could also upload their documents, but neither Michael nor I managed to do so, and thus the DMV employee scanned the documents during our appointments. I must confess that I fervently hope hackers do not get the idea to steal data from the DMV, as I have somewhat lost confidence that digital security is ensured there. By the way, I received my first "Real ID" in December 2019. Michael got his a few months later, as the pandemic was gaining momentum. Corona was also the reason the deadline was postponed again, from October 2020 to now May 2023.

What uniform regulations now apply to obtain a "Real ID"? Everyone must first present an official document that confirms their legal name and date of birth, such as a birth certificate, a passport (American or issued by another country), or a naturalization certificate. Additionally, one needs an American Social Security Number, as well as two documents that contain the residential address plus the name (for example, utility bills, insurance contracts, rental agreements, bank statements). Furthermore, it is necessary to prove that one is legally residing in the country, which the applicant can demonstrate, for example, by presenting a Green Card. In California, Green Card holders and residents with work or student visas can obtain a "Real ID." However, the "Real ID" is only valid as long as the visa or Green Card is valid. A few states (e.g., Washington) only issue the "Real ID" to American citizens. In Washington, this is because it borders Canada, and the driver's license also serves as an ID for crossing the border into Canada, which entails even stricter regulations.

The "Real ID" can be recognized by the star in the upper right corner of the driver's license. In California, this star is part of the California bear that also adorns the California flag. By the way, you still do not need a "Real ID" to drive a car in California; the old standard version, which can still be applied for, is sufficient. However, starting in May 2023, you will no longer be able to use it to board a plane or enter buildings like courthouses. This standard driver's license does not have a star in the upper right corner; instead, it says "Federal Limits Apply" in California. Thus, immigrants without valid papers can still obtain a California driver's license as a driving permit, which has been allowed since 2013 by Governor Jerry Brown. The California "Real ID" also has features built in to prevent counterfeiting, in addition to the star and the bear.

All "Real IDs" must be machine-readable. On the Californian one, the date of birth is embossed on the photo, so the numbers are slightly raised. The same applies to the signature. When you illuminate the Californian "Real ID" with ultraviolet light, the Golden Gate Bridge and the Coit Tower, which is also located in San Francisco, appear. However, you cannot see these landmarks with the naked eye, which I find a bit unfortunate. Now we are curious to see if the deadline in May next year will finally be met.

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• More topics you might be interested in:

  	Cave tours in Pinnacles National Park
  	Ukraine in America
  	Cat theft in broad daylight
  	Corona Update
  	Top Product: Ooni Pizza Oven
  	Sliding with a potato sack
  	Finally understandable: Democratic, liberal, and progressive