Do You Have Your REAL I.D?

As of this Wednesday May 7, 2025, the federal government is set to begin enforcing the Real ID law after nearly two decades of delays. Moving forward, standard state-issued driver's licenses or ID cards that do not meet Real ID requirements can no longer be used to clear TSA security checkpoints at U.S. airports.

For most air travelers, this means a shift in how they prepare for domestic flights. If your license or ID doesn’t have a star in the upper corner — the sign of Real ID compliance — you’ll need another approved form of identification, such as a U.S. passport, passport card, permanent resident card, or an enhanced driver’s license from select states. Children under 18 still do not need ID to fly domestically.

Although the law technically takes effect on May 7, the TSA has indicated it will use a phased enforcement approach to ease the transition. This could mean travelers without a Real ID might initially face extra screening or warnings rather than immediate denial at checkpoints, but eventually, full compliance will be required.

According to the TSA, about 81% of current U.S. travelers already possess a Real ID-compliant license or alternative approved ID. However, for those who don’t, the path to compliance involves visiting your state’s motor vehicle department with the required documentation: proof of full legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, lawful status, and two proofs of residential address. Requirements can vary slightly by state, so checking local guidelines is crucial.

The Real ID Act, signed into law in 2005 in response to security concerns following 9/11, was intended to tighten identification standards nationwide. Implementing it fully has proven complicated, with multiple extensions granted over the years as states and citizens struggled to meet the new standards. Now, federal agencies are signaling that the era of extensions is over — and that Real ID is here to stay.

Travelers are encouraged to check their IDs now and make plans to update their credentials if needed to avoid future disruptions at airports and federal facilities.