Editorial: If you fly, don't put off getting new driver's license

Sure, it's a year and a half away, but why do we have this mental image of lines stretching for blocks outside of Illinois Secretary of State's branch offices as Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2020, approaches?

Let's hope we're wrong. But if you want to fly domestically and don't want to be standing in one of those lines, you'll make plans now to update your driver's license or state ID to meet new federal security rules. Already, of course, you can't fly internationally without a passport, but beginning Oct. 1, 2020, you won't be able to board an airplane for flights within the United States or get into certain federal facilities unless you're carrying your passport or you have a driver's license or state ID containing a small gold star in the upper right-hand corner. Drivers whose licenses are expiring between now and then are getting the new cards, as long as they bring additional identifying documents that meet federal security standards. But tens of thousands of drivers whose licenses will expire after Oct. 1, 2020, will need to upgrade them if they want to fly in the United States.

That means they will need to get to a Secretary of State branch office with additional documents. Ditto for people who don't drive but use a state ID. Most people probably have the documents readily at hand, but several are required. They include:

• a passport, birth certificate, green card or certain other citizenship documents;

• a Social Security card, a W-2 form, pay stub or certain tax documents containing your name and Social Security number;

• two documents showing proof of residency, such as a utility bill, bank statement, insurance policy or other official correspondence; and

• something with your signature, which could be a signed driver's license or credit card, a canceled check, a Social Security card or certain other official records.

In addition, if your last name is different from the name on these documents, you'll need to bring a marriage certificate or divorce decree.

The card will cost the same as your current driver's license. But if your license expires more than a year from the time you apply for the upgrade, called REAL ID, the state will charge just a $5 correction fee to upgrade the card. Keep in mind, the REAL ID will then expire on the same date as the original license. Officials warn it could take up to 60 days from the time you apply until your new license arrives.

None of this is onerous, and considering the importance of guaranteeing the security of everyone boarding a plan or entering any federally secure location, the extra level of documentation can be reassuring. But it shouldn't be delayed. You can find a complete description of REAL ID and what's needed at https://realid.ilsos.gov/. If you don't already have it and you want to fly, you'll do yourself a favor by planning now to upgrade your documents.

The alternative could be that blocks-long line filled with grumpy procrastinators we're envisioning in 18 months or so. Don't you agree that now is better?