The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has made it official: starting May 7, 2025, travelers in the United States will need a Real ID-compliant driver’s license or identification card to clear airport security for domestic flights. Without this federally approved ID—or an alternative form of identification deemed acceptable by the TSA—travelers will be stopped at the checkpoint and effectively grounded. This announcement marks the latest push in a nearly two-decade effort to tighten identification standards for air travel.
Real ID-compliant identification is already being issued nationwide, as well as in U.S. territories like Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Guam. These IDs feature a distinctive star or star cutout in the upper corners, making them easily recognizable as meeting federal requirements. Meanwhile, IDs marked with phrases like “federal limits apply” or “not for federal identification” won’t cut it, leaving those holders scrambling to upgrade if they plan to board a plane after the deadline.
This initiative stems from the Real ID Act, passed by Congress nearly 20 years ago but plagued by delays at the state and federal levels. The most recent postponements, spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic, further stretched the timeline for enforcement. However, with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) now committed to phasing in full compliance by May 2027, the TSA appears intent on moving forward. For better or worse, the grace period for procrastinators is coming to an end.
TSA officials are pitching the Real ID requirement as a crucial step in bolstering national security. They’ve been vocal about the importance of compliance, urging travelers to update their credentials sooner rather than later to avoid last-minute headaches. Efforts are reportedly underway to streamline the process, with state licensing offices and federal agencies collaborating to make the transition as smooth as possible. Whether this bureaucratic push achieves its goal or results in DMV chaos remains to be seen.
For those unwilling or unable to obtain a Real ID, there are still options. Other accepted forms of identification include U.S. passports, passport cards, DHS trusted traveler cards like Global Entry and Nexus, permanent resident cards, and select tribal or foreign government IDs. With less than two years until the deadline, travelers are being strongly encouraged to review their documentation now, sparing themselves from the inevitable scramble as the clock ticks down to May 2025.
