Passports?

[Nyimbo]

Pretty sure this is a dumb question and that I know the answer but just in case...
Do I need to take a passport for any reason on the TransAm?

A year ago when I started my first list I was planning to do the Northern Tier and I put Passport on my packing list in case I wanted to detour or pass into Canada, but now I am settled on the TransAm and thinking to just leave the PP at home does that sound right?

[John Nelson]

It's not a dumb question, but the answer is very simple. No. Assuming you are a US Citizen, of course. Otherwise you can't even get to the TransAm without a passport. Nobody is going to ask you for your passport on the TransAm unless you need to change money. Most people who live on the TransAm route have never left the U.S. Some have never left the county they live in.

[litespeed]

John Nelson is right but, I might add, it is always a good idea to have a passport at the ready. You never know what is going to happen. I can recall a few instances of people missing out on a trip overseas because they didn't have a passport and couldn't get one soon enough. One young lady, in particular, was really heartbroken.

[Nyimbo]

Yeah, I agree having a pp is just wise to have and to keep renewed and ready to go. It's quite expensive to order ones at the last minute.  My previous pp was stolen in home breakin and I didn't think to replace.  So last year when friends called and said join us for a vacation coming up, we had to do the rush order.

[RussSeaton]

Not sure how overseas trips and vacations relate to a bike ride across the US on the TransAm trail.  I doubt people in the middle of a bike ride across the US are going on a spur of the moment overseas trip needing a passport.  Passports can be used for identification in some situations.  Doubt you would ever have any on a cross country bike ride.  The vast majority of people you will meet on a cross country bike ride have no idea what a passport is or looks like.  So if you tried to use it as identification, they would look at you perplexed.  And demand to see your driver's license as identification.  Keep your passport at home, someplace safe.

[seadug]

There are some new regulations by the TSA coming into effect in the next year or two. You will need either a confirmed or verified drivers license or a passport to board domestic flights.

[John Nelson]

Having a passport is invaluable. Taking it on the TransAm is useless.

[pmhayden]

It cost me $10 more to get an "enhanced" driver's license, which gets me into Canada and onto planes. The passport is just a chip, now days, anyway.

[Nyimbo]

Interesting that.  I've never heard about the enhanced drivers license.

[seadug]

It cost me $10 more to get an "enhanced" driver's license, which gets me into Canada and onto planes. The passport is just a chip, now days, anyway.

CT has the enhanced license now with a gold star on it. Just be prepared when you go to renew your license. You will need a few extra documents. I'm sure it varies state to state. The problem my wife ran into was her birth certificate did not match her drivers license name. Had to bring a certified copy of our marriage license proving the name change. Only reason I'm up on this is I'm a merchant mariner and need a passport,  mmc and a twic card. It's getting a little crazy but if it keeps our country safer it's worth it.

[johnlemk]

Wasn't aware of the new TSA regs, seadug. As we have Michigan licenses, we will need to carry our passports after October 10. Looks like a passport might be usefull on the TransAm if you want to fly back home.

Not sure how this all makes us safer. Keep having flash backs about Nazi era movies, "Papers! Show me your papers!" Ah well, will renew our passports in 2023.

[donald.stewart.92]

Get the Passport card too when you get your Passport. We only need the card to get into & out of the US.

[johnlemk]

True enough, donald.stewart.92, but there is an extra fee, at least in Michigan, and that would mean yet another piece of ID to carry because the card does not work for most destinations.