Travel ID

Considering a Voluntary Travel ID? Bring the right documentation

Considering a Voluntary Travel ID? Bring the right documentation

I-17 101 traffic interchange

Considering a Voluntary Travel ID? Bring the right documentation

Considering a Voluntary Travel ID? Bring the right documentation

August 17, 2016

PHOENIX – New to driving or new to Arizona? Renewing a driver license or getting a 12-year photo update? If you’re planning to visit an Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division office for these reasons, you’re among those who may want to consider getting a Voluntary Travel ID – and bringing along the documentation needed to get one.

The Voluntary Travel ID is the credential that complies with the federal REAL ID Act for getting through security checkpoints at airports, restricted federal buildings and military bases. It’s available as both a driver license and an identification card.

While the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has confirmed that all Arizona driver licenses and ID cards are valid at these checkpoints until October 2020, it may be worth getting a Voluntary Travel ID now if you need a new driver license.

“We want first-time applicants and those renewing their licenses to understand their options around Voluntary Travel ID, particularly if they travel frequently,” ADOT Motor Vehicle Division Director Eric Jorgensen said. “While it is up to the customer, we would hate for them to spend their time and money to get a standard driver license now only to have to return in a couple of years to go through the whole process again to get a Travel ID.”

The Voluntary Travel ID costs $25 and is valid for a maximum of eight years. Standard licenses cost no more than $25 and are valid until the driver’s 65th birthday, although a new photo is required every 12 years.

A Voluntary Travel ID requires specific documentation, and failing to bring it will cost you time if you decide to get one. You must provide:

  • A document establishing citizenship or legal presence such as a certified birth certificate, valid U.S. passport or valid immigration documents.
  • A Social Security card or a W-2 form to confirm Social Security information.
  • Two forms of documentation to establish proof of residency such as a bank statement, utility bill or an Arizona Voter Registration Card. All residency documents must have a current address.

A full list of acceptable documents is available at azdot.gov/TravelID.

Those who decide against a Voluntary Travel ID should keep in mind that the REAL ID Act requires newly issued standard Arizona driver licenses and identification cards to contain the phrase “Not for federal identification.” However, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security will continue to accept these credentials until October 2020.

Not everyone needs a Voluntary Travel ID. Arizonans who travel by plane or need to pass through other federal security checkpoints may use an alternate form of ID such as a current U.S. passport or a military ID.

For more information on the Voluntary Travel ID, please visit azdot.gov/TravelID.

ADOT Motor Vehicle Division created Voluntary Travel ID on tight deadline

ADOT Motor Vehicle Division created Voluntary Travel ID on tight deadline

I-17 101 traffic interchange

ADOT Motor Vehicle Division created Voluntary Travel ID on tight deadline

ADOT Motor Vehicle Division created Voluntary Travel ID on tight deadline

May 4, 2016

PHOENIX – Less than a year ago, it was uncertain how long Arizona driver licenses and identification cards would continue getting residents through airport security. When a state law that took effect in July 2015 allowed the Arizona Department of Transportation to create a credential complying with the federal REAL ID Act, Motor Vehicle Division employees had to move quickly to make it happen.

Today, the state has a Voluntary Travel ID and an assurance from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that current credentials will be accepted at airports and restricted federal facilities until Oct. 1, 2020. In late April, federal officials formalized that by certifying the Voluntary Travel ID.

The achievement follows exhaustive work by MVD employees who, facing a deadline of April 1, 2016, created not only a credential meeting all 39 security requirements of the REAL ID Act but the processes and procedures needed to make it available to customers.

“Governor Ducey has challenged state agencies to operate at the speed of business, and our dedicated MVD team did just that to create this new Travel ID on such a tight schedule,” Motor Vehicle Division Director Eric Jorgensen said. “Thanks to their hard work, Arizonans now have time to decide if and when they want to get one.”

Sixty team members worked to create the new credential. Many wrote code within MVD’s computer system for the new ID and had to distinguish it from the standard driver license and ID card since state law gives people the option of getting a Travel ID, a process that took months to complete.

MVD also went through a series of tests with the vendor that prints Arizona’s driver licenses and ID cards to ensure the information was transmitting correctly. The vendor, in turn, had to ensure the credential would integrate with MVD systems. The computer system had to be tested as well to verify that records were being properly created.

“In addition to all of the computer programming, we had to train hundreds of staff members and Authorized Third Party employees to learn the new process for issuing the Voluntary Travel ID and develop new forms and policies as well,” MVD Driver License Specialist Madelene Carbajal said. “At the end of the day, we had dozens of employees spending thousands of hours on this project.”

Because the Voluntary Travel ID is in place and approved by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, there’s no rush for Arizonans to get one. Everyone applying for renewal or first-time driver licenses and ID cards has the option, and those who wish to convert current driver licenses and ID cards may do so at select MVD offices by making appointments at ServiceArizona.com. In addition, 24 Authorized Third Party partners offer driver licenses services and can convert existing licenses or IDs.

To learn more about the Voluntary Travel ID, please visit azdot.gov/TravelID.

Considering the new Travel ID? Here are some guidelines to help you decide what to do

Considering the new Travel ID? Here are some guidelines to help you decide what to do

SR24-1

Considering the new Travel ID? Here are some guidelines to help you decide what to do

Considering the new Travel ID? Here are some guidelines to help you decide what to do

April 14, 2016

Madelene Carbajal / ADOT Motor Vehicle Division

Thinking about getting the new Arizona Voluntary Travel ID now that it’s available?

It’s entirely your decision, but we have a few guidelines to help you decide if and when to get one:

It might be worth considering if:

  • You’re getting an Arizona driver license or identification card for the first time
  • You’re renewing your current driver license
  • You’re getting a 12-year photo update to your current license or ID card

On the other hand, it might be worth waiting since:

  • The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has said current Arizona credentials will be accepted at airport security and federal buildings until Oct. 1, 2020. Waiting until closer to that time to get a Voluntary Travel ID, which is good for up to eight years, could maximize the value.

Or, it might not be worth it at all if:

  • You furnish documentation other than your driver license or identification card at airport security or to gain access to secure federal facilities. What you have now should be acceptable.

That said, these are suggestions, and everyone’s needs are going to be different. Our MVD and Authorized Third Party teams are happy answer questions about Voluntary Travel ID and your situation.

Get more information on the Arizona Voluntary Travel ID at azdot.gov/travelID.

Arizona's Voluntary Travel ID is here, but there's no rush

Arizona's Voluntary Travel ID is here, but there's no rush

SR24-1

Arizona's Voluntary Travel ID is here, but there's no rush

Arizona's Voluntary Travel ID is here, but there's no rush

March 31, 2016

By Ryan Harding / ADOT Communications

We shared this week that Arizona’s Voluntary Travel ID is here. And we also shared that there's no rush to get one.

In case you're wondering what a Travel ID is or why there's no rush, here's the information you need ...

The Voluntary Travel ID is Arizona’s credential that complies with the federal REAL ID Act passed by Congress back in 2005. The federal law set forth minimum security standards for state-issued credentials presented at federal buildings and security checkpoints like airport security.

Identified by a gold star in the top right corner of the ID, the Voluntary Travel ID will ensure you can get through airport security to board your flight or enter federal buildings and military bases.

“But wait,” you say. “I’m flying for vacation or business later this year. Should I come get one right now?”

Nope. There’s no rush. You see, now that we have the Travel ID available, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has said it will extend the use of current Arizona credentials at airport security and federal buildings until Oct. 1, 2020. So you have some time to decide if and when to get one.

Considering getting one anyway? Then check out our Voluntary Travel ID site.

Also, check out our public service announcement below for a quick overview on the Voluntary Travel ID. You might see it air on local TV stations, but you can tell your friends you saw it here first.

ADOT Motor Vehicle Division rolling out Voluntary Travel ID

ADOT Motor Vehicle Division rolling out Voluntary Travel ID

I-17 101 traffic interchange

ADOT Motor Vehicle Division rolling out Voluntary Travel ID

ADOT Motor Vehicle Division rolling out Voluntary Travel ID

March 30, 2016

PHOENIX – The Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division is rolling out the state’s Voluntary Travel ID, a credential meeting federal REAL ID Act security requirements for access to airports, restricted federal buildings, military bases and more. It costs $25 and is good for up to eight years.

But there’s no reason to rush out and get one. Most people shouldn’t need the Voluntary Travel ID for another few years.

Here’s why: With the state now offering a credential that complies with the federal REAL ID Act of 2005, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has said it will consider current Arizona driver licenses and IDs valid through Oct. 1, 2020, for travel by commercial aircraft and access to secure federal facilities.

“With the availability of this new Travel ID, Arizonans have certainty around their ability to conduct business as usual when it comes to flying and accessing federal facilities,” said Motor Vehicle Division Director Eric Jorgensen. “Now everyone has several years to decide if and when to replace their current license or ID with a Travel ID.”

Those applying for a first-time Arizona driver license or ID card can get a Voluntary Travel ID at any MVD office or at any of the 24 Authorized Third Party driver license providers around the state.

Beginning Friday, customers wishing to convert their current driver licenses to the Voluntary Travel ID at an MVD office must make appointments at ServiceArizona.com. To start, appointments can be made at eight offices in Phoenix, Tucson, Prescott and Flagstaff. More offices will be added over time.

Current driver license holders can also convert to a Voluntary Travel ID at any of the 24 Authorized Third Party driver license providers around the state without the need for an appointment.

To meet the REAL ID Act’s goal of making identity documents more consistent and secure, the Voluntary Travel ID design incorporates 39 security requirements. The most obvious is a star indicating that a credential is REAL ID-compliant. Each Voluntary Travel ID requires more documentation from an applicant and greater review than a standard Arizona credential, including checking information against additional databases to confirm an applicant’s identity.

Based on federal guidelines, to get an Arizona Voluntary Travel ID, an applicant must supply

  • one document to establish birth or legal presence such as a certified birth certificate, valid U.S. passport or valid immigration documents;
  • one document to confirm Social Security information, such as a Social Security card or a W-2 form;
  • two forms of documentation to establish proof of residency such as a bank statement, utility bill or Arizona Voter Registration Card. All residency documents must have current address.

A full list of approved documents is available at azdot.gov/travelID.

Because state law gives residents the choice to get a Voluntary Travel ID, newly issued credentials that don’t comply with requirements in the federal REAL ID Act will be marked with the phrase “Not for federal identification,” as called for by the federal law. Even so, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has said these credentials will still be accepted until Oct. 1, 2020.

For more information on the Voluntary Travel ID, please visit azdot.gov/travelID.

For more information on the REAL ID Act, please visit the U.S. Department of Homeland Security website at dhs.gov/real-id-public-faqs.