When checking your photo ID, drivers license specifically... at an airport, when checking in and boarding...

When checking your photo ID, drivers license specifically... at an airport, when checking in and boarding...?

do they just check the license ... photo against passenger...or do they actually run you dl number... what is important on the drivers license is what I'm asking.. No... I am not trying to do anything illegal; I'm just in a bind and have no time to get my new DL before my flight. It's a domestic flight from New Orleans to Ontario, CA Southwest Airlines I would ask them but I dont want to send up an unnecessary red flag ya know :) the problem is that my license is suspended... because I delayed paying a ticket and didn't go to court...it was out of town... irresponsible big time, iknow i know.... but to make it worse, I have misplaced my driver's license ...but I still have my temporary (that expired 30 from the date of issuance...which was a long time ago) I have paid the ticket, but I have to wait on them to send me a clearance letter to take to my county's driver's license bureau to get another driver's license... after having mine reinstated... I'm just in a time crunch and wondering if there's any way around this in case the letter doesn't come in time. I've really made a mess of things here.

Air Travel - 8 Answers

Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :

1 :

To make sure you didn't steal or make a ticket of some sort is one reason!!

2 :

Try using another form of ID if you have it. Better not to raise any questions.

3 :

I think they do punch in the number, so there's official records of who is on board. If you have something to hide, try the bus instead.

4 :

When checking your ID, they are only looking to see that the name matches that on the boarding pass and that the photo matches. The airlines do not have the capability to run your driver's license #. The scanners that they use at the gates only scan the bar codes on the boarding passes once it is surrendered to the gate agents.

5 :

They rarely check the actual numbers--- it's a possibility but not likely--- but just having a suspended license isn't enough to get you refused boarding. Your bigger problem though is the expired part. They can definitely reject your ID if it is expired. I'd say there's a 50/50 chance on that depending on the screener. But the state can't deny you ID just because your license is suspended. Just go to the DMV with your temporary and get a non-driver's ID. Your state may require you to pay any fines you owe (varies from state to state) and if you have a warrant out, well, probably scrap this idea. But if you are pending hearings or trial or whatever, you can get the non-driver's ID in about 20 minutes at the DMV.

6 :

A question for you. Why don't you go and get a state I.D.? Some states will issue a state I.D. the same day. I know that when they check your I.D... they do look at your picture, name , dob, etc. but I am not for sure about the number. So to be on the safe side I would go and get the state I.D.

7 :

You can use alternative forms of I.d. See site below for list of what United Airlines will accept. You can also call your airline and tell then your dr. li. is lost and you will not be abloe to get the new one in time...and ask for sure what they wil accept. This is not unusual at all and will not cause you a problem.

8 :

Your ID has to be current. An expired ID is not acceptable. if you don't have something, you will have difficulty. Worse case is they let you fly out, but not return.