Planning to travel by air in the US later this year? Regular driver’s license may not be cut.
Passengers flying out of US airports will soon be required to show TSA agents a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license, passport or A form of identification compatible with REAL ID if they want to go through security screening.
in one this week’s forecastThe TSA said it is meeting the May 7, 2025 deadline to begin implementing REAL ID requirements. However, officials have said they plan to implement a two-year “tiered enforcement” that could allow passengers without real ID to board flights — with a warning notice.
A TSA agent works at a TSA Pre-check at Miami International Airport during some of the busiest travel days of the year in Miami, Florida on December 20, 2024.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images
REAL ID is an effort by the federal government to make driver’s licenses and ID cards more reliable, accurate, and standardized. Depending on the state of your license or ID, REAL IDs will have a gold or black star (or bear star, in the case of California) at the top of the card.
The REAL ID requirement was supposed to go into effect several years ago, but was delayed, in part, as state motor vehicle departments worked through COVID-19 delays.
Federal officials are concerned about how many Americans still don’t have real ID. In January 2024, approx 56% driving licenses and IDs circulating throughout the country are in line with REAL ID. The Department of Homeland Security estimated that only 61.2% of driver’s licenses and IDs will be REAL ID compliant by May 7th.
“We have four months ahead of us,” said Stacey Fitzmaurice, TSA’s executive assistant administrator for operations support. “There is certainly work to be done, so we want passengers to take the time to get their real ID before the deadline.”
A TSA agent works at a TSA Pre-check at Miami International Airport during some of the busiest travel days of the year in Miami, Florida on December 20, 2024.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images
What is REAL ID?
The REAL ID Act was passed by Congress in 2005 after the 9/11 Commission recommended that the federal government establish security standards for states to issue driver’s licenses and identification cards.
“It came out of a recommendation that looked at the events of 9/11 and the vulnerabilities associated with it,” Fitzmaurice said. “The REAL ID requirement is as important today as it was when it came out of the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission, and we are in a much better place today, with all states implementing changes to REAL ID and implementing REAL ID licenses today.”
How to get it?
You can obtain a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license from your state’s DMV. You must be able to prove who you are by bringing documentation that includes your full name, date of birth, Social Security number, two proofs of residency and legal status. Documents containing this information may include a birth certificate, Social Security card or passport.
Who needs it?
While passengers boarding commercial flights require REAL ID or an approved alternative documentation, children under 18 are not required to have REAL ID.
For foreign travelers, foreign passports are an acceptable form of identification, according to a TSA spokesperson. The spokeswoman said citizens who are legally admitted to permanent or temporary residency, have conditional permanent residency, have an approved asylum application or entered the country as a refugee can obtain a REAL ID at their state’s DMV.
People line up to enter TSA checkpoints at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) in Southern California on January 6, 2025.
Daniel Slim/AFP via Getty Images
REAL ID is not valid for international travel. If you are traveling outside the country, you will need to bring your passport.
What is “level enforcement” of the REAL ID term?
On January 13, the TSA published a final rule that maintains the May 7 deadline, but allows two-year REAL ID compliance until May 2027.
The agency described the need for a phased-in period.
In the TSA’s example, if a large number of people arrive at an airport security checkpoint without valid driver’s licenses or IDs, they would not be able to proceed through screening, “potentially resulting in missed flights,” according to the latest published rule. “Furthermore, long lines, confusion and frustrated travelers at the checkpoint can greatly increase security risks for both travelers and TSA personnel by diverting TSA personnel’s resources and attention away from other passengers, including those who pose a high risk.”
A TSA spokeswoman said ABC-level enforcement “will establish and enable a temporary warning period for these travelers.”
TSA has not yet presented a plan for phased enforcement.
The regulations released this week say agencies can choose to issue a written or verbal warning if someone tries to use a non-REAL ID after the deadline.
“We want travelers to be prepared so they don’t come to checkpoints in May without REAL ID-compliant or other acceptable identification,” Fitzmaurice said. “If they don’t have real ID in May, they could experience delays … We have to verify the identity of everyone going through TSA checkpoints. And for people who don’t bring identification or don’t have acceptable forms of identification, we often have to make additional requirements going through security before”.
