Ask the Mayor: Why Wouldn’t TSA Accept My Temp License?

Mayor Alan Arakawa answers some of the questions submitted to his staff.

Submit your own questions about County of Maui programs, services, operations or policies to Mayor Alan Arakawa at AskTheMayor@mauicounty.gov, 270-7855 or mail them to 200 S. High Street, 9th Floor, Wailuku, HI 96793.

Questions submitted will be considered for inclusion in the “Ask the Mayor” column.

Dear Mayor Arakawa,

Q: I received a temporary paper license at the DMV when I renewed my driver’s license recently but was dismayed to learn it was not an acceptable form of ID for TSA when I tried to fly to Honolulu.

Please educate the public about this change, since we used to get our new license when we went in for renewal. I’d hate for anyone else to go through what I did at the airport, it was frustrating and a real hassle.

A: You’re right, the state has made some changes to its driver’s licensing program, which the county administers at the DMVL.

While the new paper license is valid for driving purposes for a short period of time until your official license arrives in the mail, it may not be an acceptable form of ID for other purposes such as travel.

I’ve been told by a few TSA inspectors that your old license may still be used up to a year after it expires, but the safest option would be to travel with additional sources of identification, such as a valid passport, State ID or another official ID card.

Further changes to TSA’s ID requirements appear to be in the works for 2018 and beyond, so please be sure to check on current rules before traveling.