The federal government has granted another extension to Pennsylvania to get its REAL ID house in order.

The most recent deadline was this past Oct. 10, but since the new cards will not be available until March of next year, the feds had no alternative to approve the extension; otherwise, we citizens would have been the ones to have paid the price of this classic bureaucratic snafu.

Pennsylvania is among a handful of states that are not in compliance with the 2005 law. That’s right: We had 13 years to get ready, but logic is often not one of our legislators’ strong suits.

There are a number of compliant states whose residents began using the REAL ID driver’s licenses early this year.

On Oct. 1, 2020, every air traveler will need to show a REAL ID-compliant license or other allowable forms of ID (such as a passport) for domestic flights. Such a license is one that meets the REAL ID Act’s security standards and is issued by a compliant state.

Those of us who wanted a REAL ID license were told at the beginning of the year that to get one will require some work and time. I applied for mine six months ago and am still waiting. Last week, I received the third notice from the state thanking me for requesting one but also informing me, once again, that there is a significant backlog.

The letter said: “We have received your request, and due to increased customer demand, it is still pending review. We are thoroughly reviewing each request, and after the review is completed, we will send a follow-up email regarding the status of your pre-verification request.

“We anticipate having REAL ID products available in the spring of 2019. You will receive a final determination in advance of product availability. We truly appreciate your patience.”

The idea for an enhanced and uniform license came about after the 9/11 attacks as a way to bolster security. The hijackers got valid ID cards issued by several states, according to the FBI, and the committee that was formed to make recommendations in the aftermath of 9/11 encouraged the federal government to come up with national ID standards to help eliminate fraud and terrorism. The regulation requires states to develop licenses with anti-counterfeiting measures and to file photographs and other essential information into a federal database.

All of this hassle here could have been avoided if an ill-advised 2011 law had not been passed in Harrisburg essentially telling the federal government to shove its 2005 law. Pennsylvania wasn’t going to participate.

The Republican-controlled General Assembly and then-Gov. Tom Corbett wanted to send a message to the feds, saying, essentially, that we’re not going to follow this unfunded mandate, because it is going to cost the state millions of dollars, and besides, they said, this is a states right issue.

In addition, opponents of the federal act, including the American Civil Liberties Union, said it is an unwarranted assault on privacy. Pennsylvania officials estimated that it is going to cost upward of $300 million to replace the existing licensing system, which includes more than 9 million driver’s licenses and nearly 1.7 million photo ID cards.

In the end, Pennsylvania residents are the ones who are suffering because of this misguided bravado. It came down to this: Either get on board with this program, or our current driver’s licenses will no longer get us on airliners or into federally secure facilities as of 2020.

In 2017, Gov. Tom Wolf signed a bill partially nullifying the 2011 action. The General Assembly bill allows residents to decide whether they want one of the new types of license. If, for example, a person never flies nor anticipates entering a secure federal facility, he or she may decide not to get one of the new licenses.

According to PennDOT, you do not need a REAL ID driver’s license or identification card to drive, vote, apply for or receive federal benefits, enter an unsecured federal facility such as a post office, access a hospital or receive life-saving services or participate in law-enforcement proceedings such as serving on a federal jury or testifying in federal court.

By the time Wolf signed the enabling legislation there was not nearly enough time to meet the federal deadline. The Office of Homeland Security, which is overseeing the project, has been granting the state extensions to comply with the regulations.

To get a compliant REAL ID driver’s license, applicants will need an original or certified copy of their birth certificate with a raised seal or a valid U.S. passport. They will also need a copy of their Social Security card that is not laminated or sealed in plastic. They also will need proof of all legal name changes, such as marriage licenses or court orders. Last, but not least, they will need two forms of proof of their current Pennsylvania address.

Even though there is a backlog, applicants can start the process by contacting the State Department of Transportation to see whether PennDOT has copies of these documents on file. You can check the PennDOT website or call the agency at 717-412-5300.

Don’t get stressed out, though, when you get a “we truly appreciate your patience” letter.

By Bruce Frassinelli | tneditor@tnonline.com