Starting May 7, 2025, all U.S. travelers flying domestically will be required to present a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or identification card at Transportation Security Administration (TSA) airport checkpoints. This long-anticipated policy, part of the REAL ID Act passed by Congress in 2005, is aimed at strengthening security standards for identification used for air travel and accessing federal facilities.
REAL ID-compliant licenses feature a star at the top of the card and are issued by state driver’s license agencies. Without one, travelers will need to present another form of federally accepted identification, such as a valid U.S. passport, passport card, or Department of Defense ID.
"The May 2025 deadline is firm. If your ID does not meet REAL ID requirements, you will not be allowed through airport security for domestic flights,” said TSA spokesperson Lisa Farbstein. “We strongly urge travelers to check their IDs now and take action to update them well ahead of the deadline.”
While originally set to take effect years earlier, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) extended the deadline multiple times to accommodate states' implementation timelines and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. As of early 2025, the DHS reports that more than 60% of Americans already have a REAL ID-compliant license, but millions still need to make the switch.
To obtain a REAL ID, individuals must visit their state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or equivalent agency in person and present documentation that proves identity, legal presence, Social Security number, and state residency. Required documents typically include a birth certificate or valid passport, a Social Security card or W-2 form, and two proofs of address such as utility bills or rental agreements. Many DMVs offer appointment systems and checklists online to help applicants prepare.
“Don’t wait until the last minute,” urged Farbstein. “Lines and processing times could increase dramatically as we get closer to the deadline.”
To find out whether your current license is REAL ID-compliant, look for a star in the upper portion of the card. For more information or to begin the process of upgrading to a REAL ID, visit your state DMV’s website or go to https://www.dhs.gov/real-id.
Failure to act in time could result in being turned away at TSA checkpoints, so travelers are encouraged to prepare now to ensure smooth travel come May 2025.
