Students traveling for spring break might want to consider getting a passport if they plan on flying.

Five states including Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, New Mexico, and Washington have been deemed noncompliant to the Real ID Act.

The act was passed 10 years ago after the terrorist acts of 9/11 and it was made to be more strict on how to get state licenses.

It also says that noncompliant states are unable to board flights, even for domestic travels.

TSA has never followed this act, however the Department of Homeland Security says they plan on cracking down soon.

This means that anyone traveling out of those five noncompliant states from an airport will need another form of identification besides a drivers license, such as a passport.

Some University of Iowa students are already preparing.

“We had to go to the post office and then fill out a form and submit it,” said junior Emily Mere. “They took my picture and then that all went through processing. Honestly, it took a few months … If you want to go soon you can’t really do it.”

For students planning to go abroad for spring break, note that the process time takes about six weeks, so plan accordingly.

The Daily Iowan TV has the full story