Latest News

PennDOT/Real ID Updates

Federal REAL ID Enforcement Deadline Postponed to October 2021

The Department of Homeland Security has postponed the enforcement date for REAL ID from October 1, 2020, to October 1, 2021, in response to COVID-19 and the national emergency declaration.

PennDOT closed all driver and photo license centers on March 16 and paused REAL ID issuance in the state out of an abundance of caution and in the interest of public health. Centers will reopen no sooner than April 3. PennDOT also sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, requesting that the agency consider extending the October 1, 2020 REAL ID enforcement deadline.

REAL ID is a federal law that affects how states issue driver’s licenses and ID cards if they are going to be acceptable for federal purposes. A federally-acceptable form of identification (whether it’s a Pennsylvania REAL ID driver’s license or ID card, a valid U.S. Passport/Passport Card, a military ID, etc.) must now be used on and after October 1, 2021, as identification to board a commercial flight or visit a secure federal building that requires a federally acceptable form of identification ID for access.

REAL ID is optional in Pennsylvania. There is no requirement that any resident obtain a REAL ID; PennDOT will continue to offer standard-issue driver’s licenses and photo IDs once issuance has resumed.

More information about document requirements, including a printable document checklist, can be found on the Document Check page of the PennDOT Driver and Vehicle Services website.

How to Stay Informed

Below is an extensive list of information, statistics, and resources to ensure you stay up-to-date with any changes happening due to COVID-19.

My Office

While our offices are closed, we are working remotely. Please call 412-344-2551 and leave a message or email fontana@pasenate.com and someone will get back in touch with you as soon as possible. 

ENewsletters

• Make sure you are signed up to receive my electronic newsletter (you can sign up HERE)
• To view all past issues of “News & Views” eNews, CLICK HERE

Pennsylvania Department of Health

• The PA DoH Daily COVID-19 report. Updated regularly throughout the day.
• Follow the PA Health Department on Twitter.
• Follow them on Facebook.

A complete list of information and resources available to you by county:

• Allegheny County
• Allegheny County Health Dept. 

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

• Track confirmed cases in the US. (This site is updated weekdays at noon and shows numbers that were current as of 4 p.m. the previous day.)
• CDC provided information regarding “What you should know about COVID-19” 
• Follow the CDC on Twitter.
• Follow the CDC on Facebook.
• Learn how best to prevent “community transition” with specific details on what to do before, during, and after outbreaks.

World Health Organization

• Learn what’s happening Worldwide with the WHO’s Daily report. The most recent report is located at the top of the page. It includes confirmed case and death tallies.
• Additional COVID-19 information is provided on their website.
• Stay informed on Twitter.
• Follow their Facebook page.