States have another 20 months to institute requirements of the Real ID law under a rule published March 7 in the Federal Register.

The rule delays--for the third time--implementation of the 2005 identity card law, which was set to take effect on May 11.

States now have until Jan. 15, 2013 to comply with Real ID, which requires states to print a standard bar code on state-issued identity cards and link their registrant databases. It also standardizes requirements for verifying the original documents, such as birth certificates, used to obtain drivers licenses or a state ID.

Critics say the rule institutes a de facto national identity document. Fifteen states have approved laws against Real ID compliance and the legislatures of another seven have approved a joint or concurrent resolution against the law.

In the rule, DHS attributes state delay in implementing the law to financial difficulties and uncertainty caused by a congressional attempt to pass a substitute law called PASS ID that would have eased the requirements of Real ID.

"Now that PASS ID seems unlikely to be enacted, DHS anticipates states will refocus on achieving compliance with the Real ID requirements," the rule says.

Residents of states that don't comply with the law could find boarding an airplane a much more difficult affair since current laws call for enhanced screening of passengers who present a non-compliant driver's license as identification. Such passengers could potentially be prevented from boarding.

Non-complaint driver's licenses also, under current laws, would no longer be acceptable post-deadline identification for entering federal facilities.

The National Governors Association praised the delay while four Republican congressmen, Reps. Jim Sensenbrenner (Wis.), Lamar Smith (Texas), Peter King (N.Y.) and Darrell Issa (Calif.) issued a joint statement condemning the move.  

For more:
- download the Federal Register publication official announcing the delay (.pdf)
- download a list compiled by the National Conference of State Legislatures of states who have passed laws or resolutions in opposition to Real ID 
- see the National Governors Association statement
- see the statement by four GOP congressmen in opposition to the deadline extension