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Grace period granted for S.C. Real ID Act compliance

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  • By 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  South Carolina was recently granted a grace period to implement Real ID Act guidelines by July 10, when enforcement will become mandatory. The state’s initial limited extension to allow federal agencies acceptance of state IDs expired June 6.

After July 10, 20th Security Forces Squadron members cannot accept S.C. or state driver’s licenses from non-compliant states as a valid form of ID for entry onto the installation.

The South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles began implementing Real ID Act guidelines, allowing for the submission of authorized identification documentation into the DMV database, May 15.


Passed by Congress in 2005, the Real ID Act sets standards for the issuance of sources of identification, such as a driver’s licenses, and established security standards for state issued identification. The new standards prohibit federal agencies and military installations, including Shaw Air Force Base, from accepting non-compliant identification for official purposes.


Last August the Air Force implemented changes to installation policies to align access requirements with federal compliance guidelines. Individuals who do not have accepted forms of identification will not be granted access without an approved escort.

For additional information regarding the Read ID Act, please visit www.scdmvonline.com/DMVNew/default.aspx?n=real_id.

Questions regarding access to Shaw AFB should be directed to the Visitor Control Center at, 803-895-5359.