Some actual IDs from Maine are apparently being treated like fakes.
The Secretary’s office in Maine confirmed that several legitimate IDs have been denied at TSA checkpoints.
“A small portion of Maine’s genuine IDs couldn’t be scanned properly by the TSA’s barcode reader,” an official from the Secretary of State’s office noted.
They also assured everyone that this issue seems to be “sporadic” and that only a “very few” individuals have faced disruptions while traveling.
TSA has suggested that the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) should be contacted for replacements once affected customers return from their trips, according to the Secretary of State. They mentioned that these replacements would be provided without charge.
Officials from the BMV have been collaborating with TSA to investigate the ongoing problem, which has persisted for several months.
It turns out that a glitch stemmed from one of the state’s instant printing processes.
Interestingly, New Hampshire’s Real ID had similar difficulties back in May, as reported by local news outlets.
In the meantime, TSA proposed a process for customers to get new IDs after they return from travel, emphasizing that these replacements would be exchanged for free.
Some residents have mentioned that their IDs were not scannable at gas stations or other locations.
The total number of affected licenses remains unclear, as the BMV relies on self-reporting from travelers.
However, according to TSA, “95% of main travelers” are currently holding compliant documents.
Unfortunately, since May 7th, the issue hasn’t just been confined to security checkpoints; actual ID-compliant driver licenses have also been rejected for residents needing access to domestic flights and certain federal facilities.
Residents in Pine Kishu shared on Reddit about their experiences, with some claiming their IDs were rejected because they “do not scan.” Others, in unverified posts, reported similar issues at gas stations.
To help avoid any more ID-related issues, TSA recommends that travelers bring additional forms of identification.
Accepted IDs include U.S. passports, U.S. passport cards, foreign passports, permanent resident cards, and border crossing cards.
It’s important to note that TSA does not accept temporary driver’s licenses. For travelers under 18, IDs are not necessary.
Interestingly, before the federal mandate, Maine’s compliance rate for actual ID was only 27%, one of the lowest in the nation. This figure has improved to 32% as of July 1st.
This timing coincides with major changes in TSA’s security screening procedures.
The agency recently introduced a rapid PreCheck process. Under this new system, passengers can simply show their face to a facial recognition scanner instead of presenting boarding passes or IDs.
This updated screening method is currently available to participating airlines, including American, Delta, United, and Alaska. So far, it’s being offered at just 15 U.S. airports, such as John F. Kennedy International Airport and LaGuardia Airport.
