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RMV to start issuing REAL ID licenses in March

The Registry of Motor Vehicles has set a date for issuing new licenses that will comply with federal regulations.

Starting March 26, 2018, Massachusetts residents will be able to apply for licenses which meet the ‘REAL ID’ standard.

PREVIOUS: Massachusetts travelers may need passports to fly domestically

Beginning in October 2020, only IDs that meet the REAL ID standard will be accepted at airports and federal buildings.

Officials say residents with licenses that expire before October 2020 don’t need to rush to get the new one; they can wait for their renewal.

A few months ago, residents in 22 states were panicking over the possibility that their state-issued ID cards would be insufficient to access domestic flights. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security approved requests for an extension, grant states more time to provide appropriate, REAL ID-compliant identification for residents.

PREVIOUS: States granted extension for REAL ID compliance; Driver's license OK for domestic travel

Congress passed the REAL ID Act in 2005 in an effort to strengthen identification rules at airports. The act established minimum security standards for state-issued driver’s licenses. Under the law, state driver's licenses and ID cards have to be issued only to people who can prove they are legally living in the United States. If state licenses don’t meet the standards, then federal agencies -– such as the TSA -- will not accept them.

RELATED: What is Real ID; is your state compliant; what if it isnt?

>> To learn more, or to find out if you will need a REAL ID, click here.