Idaho Still Waiting for REAL ID Extension

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — State officials say the federal government has not responded to Idaho's latest request for an extension from complying with federal REAL ID rules.

This means Idaho is in a temporary limbo as officials anticipate approval even though the state's prior compliance extension expired October 10 — the same day new federal ID restrictions were phased in. Idaho Transportation Department spokesman Vincent Trimboli said Wednesday the agency expects to hear an answer from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in the next week.

The REAL ID Act, passed in 2005, is an effort to make driver licenses less susceptible to counterfeit or forgery. Starting in 2016, such beefed-up ID will be required to board commercial aircraft, though the federal government hasn't given a firm timeline on access to flights.