The Real ID Act was passed by Congress in 2005 following the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission. The Act aimed to improve national security by setting standards for identification documents used for accessing federal facilities and boarding domestic flights. Real ID-compliant cards include enhanced security features and require verification of an applicant's identity and lawful status in the United States. 

The information below applies to all Federal facilities that require visitors present a driver’s license to gain entry to that facility.  It DOES NOT APPLY to Federal Facilities that do not require identification for access, nor does it apply to visitors who need access for one or more the following reasons:

• Safety, health, or life preserving services.
• Law enforcement and legal hearings.
• The application or receipt of Federal benefits.

REAL ID Enforcement

Visitors entering any Department of Transportation owned/leased facility using a driver’s license that is not REAL ID-compliant will need to present an alternative form of acceptable identification (see below list). Visitors who do not have a REAL ID or an acceptable alternative will be denied entry to the facility. 

As an alternative to a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license, visitors may use the following forms of identification for building access: 

• State-issued Enhanced Driver’s License 
• U.S. Passport
• U.S. Passport Card 
• DHS Trusted Traveler Cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST) 
• U.S. Department of Defense ID, including IDs issued to dependents 
• Permanent Resident Card 
• Border Crossing Card 
• An acceptable photo ID issued by a federally recognized, Tribal Nation/Indian Tribe 
• HSPD-12 PIV card 
• Foreign Government-issued Passport 
• Canadian provincial driver's license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card 
• Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) 
• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766) 
• U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential 
• Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC) 

How to know if your ID is Compliant

If your state-issued driver’s license or ID card is a REAL ID or EDL, it has one of the following markings on the card. If the card does not have one of these, it will not meet the requirements to enter this facility.

If you have any questions, please contact the Office of Security (M-40) at PhySec@dot.gov. For more information about the act, go to https://dotnet.dot.gov/news-and-announcements/announcements/implementation-real-id-act.

Security Procedures for Visiting Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center (TFHRC)

Who:

Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center Visitors

What:

Due to increased security measures required at all Federal properties, the Federal Highway Administration Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center (TFHRC) requests that all visitors follow the following security procedures when accessing and doing business at TFHRC.

Procedures

1. Visitors and Identification: All visitors must present a REAL ID photo identification or REAL ID acceptable alternative to the guard to enter or drive through the TFHRC property.

2. Visitors should call ahead to their TFHRC contacts to ensure that their names are placed on the "daily visitor list." This will ensure that security personnel expect your visit and that you will quickly pass through security procedures.

3. Visitor Sign In: The guard at the entrance gate will direct TFHRC visitors to the designated visitor parking area. Visitors must sign in at the main security check-in desk in the Turner Building and will receive a badge, which must be worn at all times while on the property. Visitors must sign out before leaving the TFHRC facility.