ST. PAUL — Minnesotans will be able to apply for a REAL ID-compliant card beginning next month, but they will have two years to obtain one if they choose.

That means Minnesotans will be able to use their standard licenses and ID cards for federal purposes, including boarding domestic flights, until October 1, 2020.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security informed the Department of Public Safety Driver and Vehicle Services (DPS-DVS) division during a compliance check-in earlier this year that the state was making the necessary progress to comply with federal regulations.

Since there is no need to obtain a REAL ID at this time, state officials are suggesting that residents wait to apply unless they need to change their name or address or renew their current license. This will help ease the transition to the new card and reduce wait times.

REAL ID is a federal requirement that establishes minimum-security standards for state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards.

Minnesota has a few identification options from which residents may choose.

Determining which type of license or ID card works best depends on what a person needs to use the card for.

Minnesota Standard Driver’s Licenses or ID Cards can be used as a valid form of identification and for lawful driving privileges. These cards are also an acceptable form of ID for domestic air travel and to access federal facilities.

While these cards will continue to be a valid form of identification and driving privileges, they will not be accepted for domestic air travel or access to federal facilities beginning Oct. 1, 2020. Another form of identification, such as a valid passport, REAL ID or Enhanced Driver’s License, will be required for air travel or access to federal facilities.

Now and beginning Oct. 1, 2020, in addition to being a valid form of identification and indicating lawful driving privileges, Enhanced Driver’s Licenses and Enhanced ID Cards can be used as a border crossing document to re-enter the U.S. by land and sea from Canada, Mexico, and some countries in the Caribbean. They can also be used for domestic air travel and to access federal facilities, and are only issued to U.S. citizens.

REAL ID-Compliant Driver’s License or ID cards will be an accepted form of identification for domestic air travel and to access federal facilities starting Oct. 1, 2020. These cards can be used as a valid form of identification and for lawful driving privileges. These cards cannot be used as border crossing documents. To learn more, visit the state’s REAL ID website at REALID.dps.mn.gov.

Passed by Congress in 2005, the REAL ID Act establishes minimum-security standards for state-issued driver’s licenses and ID cards. The Act refers to federal anti-terrorism laws and regulations that control access to federally regulated commercial aircraft and federal facilities requiring identification to enter, such as military bases or nuclear power facilities.

The Act prohibits federal agencies like the Transportation Security Administration from accepting cards for official purposes from states that do not meet minimum-security standards.

The Minnesota Legislature passed a law that directs DPS-DVS to make REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses and identification cards available by Oct. 1, 2018. The state is on track to meet that deadline, even though the federal government won’t require driver’s licenses and IDs to be REAL ID-compliant until Oct. 1, 2020. DPS-DVS and Minnesota IT Services contracted with FAST Enterprises to develop a new driver services system that will produce REAL IDs.