PennDOT asks Homeland Security to extend Real ID deadline amid coronavirus pandemic

PennDOT is asking federal officials to extend the Oct. 1 Real ID enforcement deadline in light of the coronavirus outbreak.

Acting PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian asked the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to extend the Oct. 1 Real ID enforcement deadline as facilities close due to the coronavirus.

To control the number of customers in facilities and prevent large gatherings, PennDOT suspended the issuance of Real ID driver’s licenses and photo ID cards at all license centers in eight counties. All eight counties are in southeastern Pennsylvania, and the closures will last at least two weeks.

“The significant increase of customer volume in the driver license centers obtaining a Real ID product potentially impacts the health and safety of both staff and customers,” said Gramain in a letter to Chad Wolf, acting secretary of Homeland Security. “Reducing in-person transactions will mitigate the potential of covid-19 transmission.”

The request comes about a week after PennDOT expressed confidence in its ability to meet the federal deadline. Local airport officials, however, were skeptical.