People driving onto Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia will need a REAL ID to go through the security checkpoint starting May 7.
REAL ID, established by a 2005 law on the recommendation of Congress’ 9/11 Commission, sets minimum security standards for driver’s licenses issued by states.
The policy applies to all people over age 18 who are authorized to drive and enter in a vehicle from Memorial Avenue, the Service Complex Gate or via Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, cemetery officials said Tuesday.
This includes funeral attendees, people involved with honor flights, photographers and florists hired by families, and contractors without a Department of Defense Common Access Card or an automated installation badge.
It also applies to anyone entering Arlington National Cemetery through those points on a family pass. Bicycling at Arlington National Cemetery is permitted to and from gravesites only with the family pass.
For those without a REAL ID-compliant license, a CAC, Department of Defense Uniformed Services ID, local Department of Defense access card, U.S. or foreign passport, transportation worker ID, veteran’s health ID, federal personal identity verification card, a nonfederal personal identity verification interoperable card, or acceptable photo ID issued by a federally recognized tribal nation or Native American tribe are also accepted under the new policy.
People entering the via its welcome center, including people who park at the welcome center garage, as well as those who use the Metro, walk or use a rideshare vehicle to get to ANC will not be required to present REAL ID, since they will already be required to go through a physical security screening at the welcome center.
However, cemetery officials said, if the security posture at Arlington National Cemetery is changed, all guests including those coming via the welcome center should be prepared to present their REAL ID.
REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses are marked with a star, a star inside a circle or a bear with a star on it.
