Ryanair Will No Longer Accept Drivers License As Form of ID

Budget airline, Ryanair, has announced that beginning next week, all passengers on Ryanair, whether traveling abroad or domestically will have to have their current passports to board. The airline announced that drivers license, previously allowed as documentation for flights within the UK will no longer be accepted.  The arrangement was also available for flights to the Republic of Ireland as well.

Drivers licenses will no longer be held as positive identification documents for passengers traveling on Ryanair. The laid back rule had formerly been accepted between the UK and Ireland, but now that forgeries are prevalent, the rule is being abolished for the sake of stricter, safer security. Ryanair has chosen, independent of governmental decisions, to reform it’s own policy.

The new passport mandate will begin the same day that passengers will be require to check in via the internet. Ryanair will no longer be offering front desk check in, requiring all passengers to book in online prior to arrival at the airport.

All of these new mandates are for the sake of time and security, the budget airline has said. Customers check in online and then print off their own boarding passes. Checked luggage is dropped off with Ryanair security at a baggage drop. The airline will implement a large fee for passengers arriving at the gate without boarding passes.

In addition to passports, the airline will also accept government ID cards which are issued in Ireland and are becoming more common in the UK. The cards are available upon request to UK residents. Next week will be a transition phase for the airline as many passengers are sure to not be aware of the change, but the airline has said that ultimately the move will make air travel safer and easier.