U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has heeded Daines’ request and will accept Montana licenses, regardless of REAL ID status, for medical certification purpose.
In a letter from FAA Administrator Michael Huerta to Daines, Huerta wrote that, “The FAA believes that the requirement to hold a driver’s license to exercise the relief of BasicMed does not require a REAL ID compliant license.” Click HERE to read FAA’s letter to Daines.
“It’s good progress to see the FAA recognize Montana licenses regardless of a federal law that Montanans have said they don’t want,” Daines stated. “I will continue working to ensure Montanans privacy is protected and the federal government recognizes Montana licenses.”
On January 28, 2017, urged the Federal Aviation Administration to accept non-REAL ID compliant licenses when implementing third class medical reform.
On January 7, 2017, Daines introduced legislation to repeal the REAL ID Act of 2005. Daines’ legislation will ensure that the 2007 Montana law banning compliance with REAL ID drivers license mandates is protected. Daines introduced comparable legislation while serving in the U.S. House of Representatives in the 113th Congress.
On January 9, 2017, Daines met with U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly where they discussed the path forward on REAL ID among other issues to protect Americans.
Without a full repeal Montanans will not be able to board planes in 285 days without a passport.
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