Real ID and Requirements for U.S. Travel

You may soon be unable to pass through security checkpoints at your local airport using your current form of identification, even if you’re flying domestically. The crackdown is aimed at U.S. citizens who don’t yet have a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license, United States passport, United States military ID or another acceptable form of identification.

Complying with the New Requirements

The following documents qualify as an acceptable form of identification under the law:

• REAL ID-compliant state driver’s licenses or other state photo identity cards,
• State-issued enhanced driver’s licenses,
• U.S. passports and passport cards,
• DHS-trusted traveler cards (such as Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI and FAST),
• U.S. Department of Defense IDs, including those issued to dependents,
• Permanent U.S. resident cards,
• U.S. border crossing cards,
• Federally recognized, tribal-issued photo IDs,
• HSPD-12 PIV cards,
• Foreign government-issued passports,
• Canadian provincial driver’s licenses or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada cards,
• Transportation worker identification credentials,
• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Cards (I-766),
• U.S. Merchant Mariner Credentials, and
• Veteran health identification cards.

For more information on this issue, visit the DHS website.

The requirements for REAL IDs officially kick in on May 7, 2025, just in time for the summer vacation season. Here’s what you need to know to avoid complications when you travel.

REAL ID Act

The requirements for REAL IDs aren’t exactly “new.” They can be traced back to the REAL ID Act of 2005. The law heeded the 9/11 Commission’s recommendation that the federal government should set higher standards for sources of identification, such as driver’s licenses.

Specifically, the law established minimum security standards for license issuance and production. Activities covered by the stricter security standards include:

• Accessing federal facilities,
• Entering nuclear power plants, and
• Boarding federally regulated commercial aircraft.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was charged with enforcing these rules.

Enforcement Coming Soon

In 2013, the DHS announced a phased-in enforcement plan to implement the law in a “measured, fair, and responsible way.” The REAL ID deadline was postponed multiple times during the pandemic. In the meantime, all 50 states, the District of Columbia and the five U.S. territories have gotten up-to-speed on REAL ID compliance. By comparison, as of October 1, 2019, REAL IDs still weren’t available in three states (New Jersey, Oklahoma and Oregon).

To complicate matters, states may still issue noncompliant licenses and identification cards to individuals unable or unwilling to provide the documents and information necessary to obtain a REAL ID-compliant license or identity card. Noncompliant state-issued IDs must 1) clearly state that they aren’t acceptable for official purposes and 2) have a unique design or color indicator to distinguish them from compliant IDs.

Important: To be clear, the official deadline for REAL ID compliance is May 7, 2025. DHS currently has no plans to extend this deadline.

However, on January 13, 2025, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) published a final rule providing a framework for REAL ID enforcement. While federal agencies, including TSA, will begin REAL ID enforcement on the deadline, the final rule provides the flexibility to implement the requirements in phases, with full enforcement mandated by May 5, 2027. The final rule doesn’t prescribe a phased-in enforcement plan. The final rule allows, but doesn’t require, phased enforcement. Enforcement plans may vary by agency and location.

Travelers are advised to obtain REAL ID-compliant identifications or another form of acceptable ID before the May 2025 deadline to avoid potential disruptions. Beware that the DHS anticipates last-minute surges in demand for REAL IDs leading up to the deadline.

Status Update

Although REAL IDs are widely available, the DHS estimates that only about 56% of all state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards nationwide are REAL ID compliant. In 22 states, less than 40% are REAL ID-compliant. Many people are unaware of the new requirements, and some have procrastinated updating their IDs.

Obtaining a compliant license isn’t as simple as walking into a local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) agency the next time your license is up for renewal. The DHS requires you to provide documentation showing your full legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, two proofs of the address of your principal residence and lawful status. Plus, your home state may impose additional requirements.

What will happen if you don’t have a REAL ID-compliant document or another form of acceptable identification when you arrive at the airport for a flight within the United States? The airport’s TSA checkpoint may not clear you for the flight. This could lead to long lines, flight delays and disgruntled travelers.

If you can’t show an acceptable form of identification, you may still be allowed to fly, but the TSA will require you to complete a time-consuming identity verification process. This includes collecting information, such as your name and current address, to confirm your identity. If your identity is confirmed, you may be able to enter the screening checkpoint, where you may be subject to additional screening. If your identity can’t be confirmed or you refuse to provide acceptable identification, you won’t be allowed to enter the security checkpoint.

Slowdowns may also cause headaches for those who have obtained their REAL IDs. If travelers can’t board their flights, the effects could trickle down to other businesses, such as hotels, restaurants, and tourist attractions.

While many states have been handing out compliant ID documents for years, driver’s licenses and other cards issued before adopting REAL ID standards won’t meet the requirements. For instance, some residents with legacy licenses aren’t required to obtain the new and improved versions in states that recently became compliant. Thus, depending on your license renewal date, you might get stopped before boarding a plane starting in May.

Get on Board

How can you tell if your driver’s license or state identification card is REAL ID-compliant? Look for a star in the upper top portion. If it’s there, you’re good to go. If not, head to your local DMV office for a driver’s license or identity card that meets the DHS requirements.

Copyright 2025

This article appeared in Walz Group’s February 17, 2025 issue of The Bottom Line e-newsletter, produced by TopLine Content Marketing. This content is for informational purposes only.