The Alabama Department of Public Safety announced the launch of a driver license and identification program called STAR I.D. in a press release Thursday.

STAR I.D., which stands for “Secure, Trusted And Reliable,” will be available at driver license examining offices in Chilton, Autauga and Montgomery counties in conjunction with a pilot project starting Oct. 3. A statewide launch of STAR I.D. is scheduled for January.

ADPS developed STAR I.D. after Congress passed the REAL-ID Act of 2005 in response to terrorism in the U.S.

Under the program, all current Alabama driver licenses and non-driver ID cards will be accepted for official federal purposes until Dec. 1, 2014. Starting Dec. 1, individuals born after Dec. 1, 1964 will be required to have a REAL-ID-compliant document to board a domestic flight or to gain access to certain federal facilities that require identification. A valid U.S. passport may be used in place of REAL-ID-compliant identification.

Starting on Dec. 1, 2017, individuals born on or before Dec. 1, 1964, will be required to have a REAL-ID-compliant document or valid U.S. passport.

According to the press release, REAL-ID-compliant identification is considered “secure.” To obtain such identification, individuals must present additional original documents specified by the REAL-ID Act of 2005 to verify identity and date of birth, authorized presence in the U.S. and address of principal residence.

STAR I.D. will issue Alabama driver license and non-driver ID renewals only at driver license examining offices, not at probate or license commissioners’ offices.

For more information, go to Dps.alabama.gov or call (877) 567-1045.