It might not feel like it, but summer is winding down. Before it's gone -- and the sweaters and jeans come out of the closet -- you might want to take a few minutes to update your driver license or state ID to the Arizona Travel ID. The federal deadline of May 3, 2023, isn't that far away. Take the time now and avoid the last-minute rush that will be here before summer is back.

The Arizona Travel ID is a driver license or ID card, as well as a federally-compliant credential, that can be used for gaining clearance at federal TSA airport checkpoints and other restricted, federally-secured facilities. Passports are still needed for international travel. If you choose to carry a passport for domestic air travel, TSA will accept that and you wouldn’t need the Arizona Travel ID for domestic flights. In other words, if you want to use your passport to fly to Pittsburgh, Portland or Poughkeepsie, that’s up to you.

The Arizona Travel ID requires more documentation than a standard driver license. To get one, set up an appointment at azmvdnow.gov. Travel ID applicants must show proof of their identity, proof of Arizona residency and provide their Social Security number. For a full list of credentials and documents that meet these requirements, visit azdot.gov/TravelID. 

You will be issued a new ID that will come in the mail in about two weeks. Your old license or ID will no longer be valid. The cost is $25 and the credential is valid for 8 years, per federal law.

Will your license fly? Make sure before that deadline arrives and you risk missing a flight!

2023 might feel like a long way away, but it’ll be here quickly. Join the 1.65 million Arizonans who have already upgraded to the Arizona Travel ID. 

Now, we do understand this might seem a bit… repetitive. This date has changed before. Please understand that this is a federal program and the implementation has been affected, like so much else, by the events of the past two years. But when the time finally comes, you want to be prepared because without a federally-approved ID, you won’t be able to fly commercially or get into federal buildings.

Beginning May 3, 2023, you will need a federally-compliant credential -- like the Arizona Travel ID -- to get past TSA checkpoints at airports for domestic flights. This credential is distinguished by a gold star in the upper right corner and is available to Arizona residents as a driver license or identification card.  

You can also walk into an MVD office for this service, but we suggest scheduling an appointment and that can be done online at azmvdnow.gov. Even if you haven’t activated your AZ MVD NOW account, you can still schedule a Travel ID appointment. 

Because the Arizona Travel ID is compliant with the federal standards, you will need to provide extra documentation like a birth certificate, social security number and proof of Arizona residency.

More information, and a full list of qualifying documents are available at azdot.gov/TravelID

Have you finished your holiday shopping?

If you’re like me, you might be waiting until the last minute to purchase the perfect present.

Well, fellow holiday procrastinators, I have a tip for finding the go-to gift: ADOT.

Seriously, don't laugh.

ADOT can be your one-stop, online shopping destination. ADOT has plenty of ideas for everyone on your list. Best of all, everything can be purchased online.

Here are some of the ADOT options:

1. You can give the gift of togetherness by signing up for the Adopt-A-Highway program and even get a sign with the name of your choice. More importantly, you are bringing together friends and family to build memories, while performing a valuable community service.
2. Anyone who appreciates stunning photography will enjoy a subscription to the 
   
    award-winning Arizona Highways Magazine. Or perhaps one of an array of unique gifts, such as gorgeous calendars, jewelry, ornaments, books and more offered by the Arizona Highways Store. Whether your recipient is an ardent traveler, history buff or just loves thumbing through glossy pages filled with Arizona beauty, these are ideal presents. Plus, there is an Arizona Highways specialty plate if you want to go all out!
3. If you have children who love science, engineering or anything on four wheels, you could consider the gift of education and fun by making regular visits to the ADOT Kids website. Created to spark children’s imaginations and curiosity about what makes things go, how bridges are built, how vehicles work and more, it offers activity sheets, videos, quizzes, maze challenges and more. Want to know about snowplows? Highway signs? Engineering paths? It's all on ADOT Kids.
4. Okay, maybe these don’t really into the holiday present category, but they are free and will save you tons of time on highways. Download the ADOT Alerts and AZ511 apps today or anytime during the holidays and get the gift of avoiding road closures, crashes and other emergency events.
5. The last gift idea is the most precious. If you haven't already, considering registering to become an organ and tissue donor with the Donor Network of Arizona. The ADOT Motor Vehicle Division partners with the Donor Network of Arizona to allow people to register as donors when they apply for or renew a driver license.

Shopping with ADOT is convenient and offers some interesting, thoughtful and, potentially, life-saving gifts. In fact, during a break from writing this blog, I ordered a Arizona Highways calendar for one one my friends who has everything.  

For more blogs on ADOT holiday gifts: 

• Gift cards are the worst; consider these presents instead! 
• Adopt a Highway: The gift of you 
• Need a gift idea? Why not a specialty license plate?
• ADOT Kids Travel Bingo

National App Day is Dec. 11, which gives us the perfect opportunity to remind you about ADOT’s apps and their roles in making our lives easier.

According to its description, National App Day “encourages us to explore all the possibilities that apps afford us.” ADOT's apps provide timely information so that motorists can navigate Arizona’s highways safely and efficiently, without worry of driving into an unplanned highway closure.

The ADOT Alerts, AZ511, Broadway Curve and Virgin River Bridge apps are highway travel apps. The fifth app is the Arizona Mobile ID app, which is a digital driver license or state ID card in your smartphone.  

All of these apps are free and can be downloaded from Google Play or the App Store.

Here's a brief overview of each app:

ADOT Alerts app

This is the app to get to avoid a driivng into an unplanned traffic jam. ADOT Alerts provides real-time information about unplanned, major events so that you can make informed decisions. This helps motorists avoid lengthy delays or potentially dangerous situations. The app sends alerts directly to your smart phone concerning major crashes, serious weather incidents and other unplanned unexpected events occuring near your location.

Click here for more information.

AZ511 app

The AZ511 app works in conjunction with AZ511.gov, the Arizona Traveler Information website, to provide the latest information on conditions along the state highway system. It provides information about crashes, severe weather, highway or lane closures, estimated route speeds, and route alternatives. It also offers views from highway cameras, which users to view real-time traffic conditions. Users can also save routes and receive alerts when conditions change.

Click here for more information.

Broadway Curve app

The app provides updates and information about the I-10 Broadway Curve Improvement Project. Users can learn about closures and restrictions, real-time traffic information, detour routes and more. You can also opt-in to receive push notifications about unplanned traffic issues that suddenly arise.

Click here for more information.

Virgin River Bridge app

The app helps drivers stay updated on traffic restrictions for the Virgin River Bridge #1 Replacement project in northwest Arizona. In addition to lane restrictions or closures, motorists will receive updates on width and weight restrictions. And drivers of oversize vehicles are informed about detours using US 93, Nevada State Route 319 and Utah State Route 56.

Click here for more information.

Arizona Mobile ID app

The Arizona Mobile ID (mID) is a voluntary, secure, digitized version of your MVD-issued driver license or ID card that you carry in an app on your smartphone. Everything else is in your phone -- credit cards, house keys, car keys, event tickets, etc. -- and now your ID can be, too. Because mID is a new technology, you should continue to carry your physical ID with you because not all entities are able to verify mobile ID yet. MVD urges people to always carry their physical ID when driving so it can be used in interactions with law enforcement during traffic stops or incidents.

MVD will continue to issue physical, plastic credentials and use of mID is voluntary.

Click here for details about this new feature.

For more ADOT reading about apps, check these out blogs and releases: 

• Smartphone app helps with I-15 Virgin River Bridge project traffic
• Faceoff: AZ511 versus ADOT Alerts apps
• AZ511 app a habit worth picking up 

Because ADOT apps can change our lives every day, we think it appropriate to celebrate them all year, not just National App Day.