REAL ID Design for Maine Driver License

Along with 11 state and 2 U.S. territories, Maine is technically not compliant with REAL ID, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. However, the Maine secretary of state’s office just unveiled a new design on April 8th – one that is compliant with the federal REAL ID Act. Non compliant cards contain the text “NOT FOR REAL ID PURPOSES”. Currently, a REAL ID compliant driver’s license/ID card or passport is required to enter nuclear facilities, restricted federal buildings or military bases. Furthermore, after October 1st, 2020 REAL ID will be required to board domestic commercial flights.

Featuring a gold-colored Maine with white star logo in the upper right corner, REAL ID’s design will also be more difficult to produce fraudulent cards. The new REAL ID design will be issued to all applicants upon their next renewal.