If you are an avid traveler, or someone that has stepped into a DMV in the last year or so, you have probably seen or heard more promotion of obtaining a Real ID. Though talk of this has become seemingly more prominent in the last year or so, the Real ID Act was enacted after September 11, 2001, with implementation of the law in 2008.
With just a quick internet search, it should be easy to find answers to any questions you might have about the process, whether it be WHY you need a Real ID, or WHAT documentation you need to obtain it.
All states are now in compliance, or with extensions to comply, the final phase will go into effect this year on October 1, 2020. This phase affects air travel, and means that all licenses and IDs will have to be Real IDs, which shows that it meets the new security standards.
What will this mean for Grand Classroom as a student travel operator? How will we continue to set our groups up for success during this change? While students under the age of 18 will continue to not need to present any form of identification when traveling with a companion domestically, the chaperones that accompany them, will require this identification. Of course, any international travel will still require students under the age of 18 to present a valid passport. Grand Classroom will be taking the necessary steps to continue to remind teachers, parents and chaperones of the new requirements for air travel, with reminders upon registration, and emails prior to their scheduled trips. Our goal is to ensure that all adults traveling with the group have the proper identification in order to avoid any issues during the time of travel. For more information on the requirements for the Real ID in your state, visit https://www.dhs.gov/real-id.
Grand Classroom’s goal is to educate and inform those that are traveling with us in order to ensure a successful, educational and wonderfully fun trip of a lifetime!
Jennifer H - February 2020