What is the federal REAL ID Act?

The federal REAL ID Act, enacted in 2005, establishes minimum security standards for state-issued driver's licenses and identification cards. It aims to enhance the reliability and security of identification used for federal purposes, such as boarding commercial flights and entering federal buildings. States must comply with these standards to have their IDs accepted for these purposes, leading to increased scrutiny of identity verification processes. The Act was introduced in response to concerns about terrorism and identity fraud.