Minimum Standards for Driver’s licenses and Identification Cards Acceptable by Federal Agencies for Official Purposes

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is conducting a multiphase rulemaking to amend the regulations to address mDLs. To initiate the first phase, TSA published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on August 30, 2023, and a final rule on October 25, 2024. This initial phase enables States to apply to TSA for a temporary waiver of the prohibition on Federal acceptance of non-compliant mDLs. The waiver enabled by this rule permits Federal agencies, at their discretion, to continue accepting for official REAL ID purposes mDLs issued by States to whom TSA has issued a waiver. In the second phase, TSA intends to follow the finalization of industry technical standards and issue another rule that would replace the waiver provisions with minimum technical requirements and security standards necessary for states to issue REAL ID-compliant mDLs. Through this final rule, TSA requires States to apply to TSA for a waiver, following the processes set forth in section 37.9(a) and submitting materials required by sections 37.10(a) and (b). The final rule also imposes continuing obligations on a State that has been issued a waiver, which may require States to submit additional materials to TSA.

The latest form for Minimum Standards for Driver’s licenses and Identification Cards Acceptable by Federal Agencies for Official Purposes expires 2027-11-30 and can be found here.

Waiver Applications

Federal Enterprise Architecture: Homeland Security - Border and Transportation Security