Unmanned stations checking IDs?

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Amtrakgirl448

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My daughter has waited too long to get an appointment to get her driver's license renewed, and now can't get an appointment before her train travel. Do unmanned stations check for IDs?
 
The unmanned station won’t but the manned train might. Not super common but up to the conductor honestly. Try to have alternative ID, expired ID, receipts for new ID charges, or whatever you can manage.
 
I bet it won't be an issue. I don't think I've been asked for my ID since I was an unaccompanied minor years ago. Even when the AAA discount was around, I was never asked to show my card.

Welcome to AU, by the way! If you have any other questions, just reply here or check out this forum: Amtrak FAQs & First-Time Rider Info the search function is also good.

@Devil's Advocate love your updated location. Must be on one of the sidings CSX has been removing along the Water Level Route 🤣
 
ID checks are random on the train. Many will tell you that it isn't a problem because they've never been checked. It's a low-likelihood, high consequence risk. As was stated above, having *something* is better than nothing. Whatever she can must to have on hand, just in case...
 
I don't think I've ever been checked, but that's no guarantee. As mentioned, at least an expired id would be better than nothing. And in the highly unlikely event she is checked, I doubt the conductor would think to check the expiration date if the picture and name match. A couple of credit cards and maybe a student id wouldn't hurt.
 
Lots of states have extended expiration dates of licenses, registrations, and permits due to COVID so I'm sure if the ID was checked, it wouldn't be an issue since the photo and name would match.
 
Exvalley said:
Believe it or not, TSA is okay with an expired driver's license. Hopefully Amtrak is as well.
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Nope.
Passenger Identification Amtrak.png
 
Exvalley said:
Crazy that Amtrak is more restrictive than the TSA.
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TSA allowing expired licenses as only been in effect since the start of the pandemic.
https://www.tsa.gov/coronavirus
  • Expired Driver’s License and REAL ID Extension
If your driver's license or state-issued ID expired on or after March 1, 2020, and you are unable to renew at your state driver’s license agency, you may still use it as acceptable identification at the checkpoint. TSA will accept expired driver’s licenses or state-issued ID a year after expiration. DHS has extended the REAL ID enforcement deadline to May 3, 2023. Learn more about REAL ID on TSA’s REAL ID webpage.
 
AmtrakBlue said:
TSA allowing expired licenses as only been in effect since the start of the pandemic.
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That's not quite true.

Pre-Covid, TSA had this to say: Whether you’re traveling with an expired license, misplaced your ID, or recently changed your name, you can still fly.

You could still fly as long as the license had expired in the past 12 months.

Source: Four Tips To Remember When Checking Your ID At Airport Security | Transportation Security Administration

My wife flew with an expired license pre-Covid - so I know first hand that it could be done.

So, yeah. It's insane that Amtrak is more restrictive than the TSA.
 
My husband lost his wallet on a trip to San Francisco some years back. We came to the airport really early, and were upfront about what had happened. In the end, he was asked a lot of questions--which I suppose they may or may not have tried to check out--examined his used boarding pass from our outgoing flight, where he obviously had his license, and gave him one of those super-enhanced patdowns that leave nothing to the imagination. But he was allowed to fly home in the end without ID. (We actually got his wallet mailed back to us, ID and cards intact! But without a return address, so we couldn't thank the Good Samaritan who went out of their way--and paid postage!--to return the wallet to us. Just goes to show that there are honest, kind people out there!)
 
They don't generally check ID in stations (New Orleans may be an exception). If they happens, it will be the conductor when your ticket is scanned in.

I've been asked for ID once or twice in many trips. My understanding is there are random ID checks that the system generates and flags them on the conductor's device.
 
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At some point, we will end the Border Patrol circus. The CBP relies on old court rulings giving them 100 miles, and they cut it very close. Amtrak does not have to permit them to ask for ID, if they didn't, they would only be able to ask you country of origin/citizenship. As a US citizen, I am not required to carry proof of citizenship, but since I am on Amtrak, I am required to have ID. A train that crosses the border, or is near the border, I buy it, but if we are 90 miles away, you are on a fishing expedition trying to justify your jobs and funding.
 
Needing to show ID isn't the same as needing to show proof of citizenship. Even the enhanced Real ID driver's licenses are available to non US citizens. If you are traveling on a senior fare, the Amtrak website warns the traveler that ID may be checked to confirm eligibility. I have never actually ben asked for ID though, which makes me fear that my face may be enough confirmation of my age.;)
 
flitcraft said:
Needing to show ID isn't the same as needing to show proof of citizenship. Even the enhanced Real ID driver's licenses are available to non US citizens. If you are traveling on a senior fare, the Amtrak website warns the traveler that ID may be checked to confirm eligibility. I have never actually ben asked for ID though, which makes me fear that my face may be enough confirmation of my age.;)
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I use the disability discount and will usually verify it when they ask...if I need assistance and I say "Huh?". 🤣
 
In fact, at least one airport security checkpoint has allowed me to fly even when I was unable to present any of their accepted form of Id. As I recall they accepted my Medical Insurance Card, several Credit Cards and my Company Id Card with a photo on it. I had inadvertently packed away the acceptable Id's in checked baggage. I had to go through additional security processing, but it just took an additional 15 minutes, most of which was for a Supervisor to find time to talk to me. Being a member of a Trusted Traveler Program possibly helped, since the boarding pass had that annotated on it.
 
Yup. I showed up at SFO once and somehow didn't have my driver's license. It wasn't such a big deal, the check in desk just printed out a special TSA pass and the TSA questioned me politely for a few minutes and then gave me a first class pat down and I was on my way. Found it later in a fold in my suitcase.

To repeat, the odds of anyone on Amtrak asking for an ID are vanishingly small. And if they did, having nearby adults to vouch for you would probably be sufficient. I've never heard any anecdotal stories of someone being denied boarding or tossed off. Especially if you have an expired license.
 
Does your daughter have a passport? A passport is a useful thing to have, even if you think your international travel days are over, because having more than one government-issued photo ID is valuable backup if one is lost or rejected. Yeah, it's not cheap, currently $110 (without any special or expedited service) for an adult. But it's valid for 10 years. I realize this is not practical advice if your daughter lacks a passport and is traveling imminently, but maybe it'll help others!
 
flitcraft said:
Needing to show ID isn't the same as needing to show proof of citizenship. Even the enhanced Real ID driver's licenses are available to non US citizens. If you are traveling on a senior fare, the Amtrak website warns the traveler that ID may be checked to confirm eligibility. I have never actually ben asked for ID though, which makes me fear that my face may be enough confirmation of my age.;)
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There is a major difference between Real ID and Enhanced. Certain States (mine included) issue something called an Enhanced Drivers License, and it is available only to a US citizen. It can be used at a land or sea entry between US and Canada, or a sea entry in many Caribbean countries. Like a Real ID it can be used for domestic air travel but international still requires a passport. Real and enhanced are 2 different animals, Real does not require citizenship.
 
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