Strategies for Air Travel Starting from May 7, When REAL ID Is Absent
Get ready, travel peeps! The hard-and-fast (no nonsense) deadline for the Department of Homeland Security's REAL ID requirement is almost here, and unlike many times over the last two decades, it seems like there won't be another extension for obtaining a compliant ID.
The 2005 REAL ID Act aimed to standardize state-issued driver's licenses and identification cards by 2008. However, the rollout was a mess, with numerous delays until 2020, then 2023, and finally 2025. From May 7, anyone over 18 with a driver's license will need a REAL ID to pass airport security or enter certain federal buildings.
Many states have issued REAL IDs during renewals or upgrades, so if yours has a gold or black star in the corner, you're all set. However, if you've been putting this off, you might still be able to fly with an alternative ID.
Alternatives to REAL ID for air travel
If you need to go through a TSA checkpoint after May 7 and don't have a REAL ID-compliant license, you can use one of the following alternative forms of identification:
- U.S. passport
- U.S passport card
- DHS Trusted Traveler card (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
- State-issued Enhanced Driver's License (available for residents in Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont, and Washington)
The TSA will also accept Enhanced Tribal Cards, permanent resident and border crossing cards, Department of Defense IDs (and other federal worker credentials), and foreign passports. The TSA accepts expired IDs for up to a year after the expiration date, and you may be able to clear security without a valid ID after going through an identity verification process.
To get a REAL ID, check your state's specific requirements. Typically, these include proof of your legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, address, and residency status. You'll also need to go in person to have your photo taken and pay a fee. REAL ID is only required for clearing airport security and some federal buildings––you don't need one to drive or vote.
- As an alternative to the REAL ID, travelers can utilize U.S. passports, U.S. passport cards, DHS Trusted Traveler cards, or State-issued Enhanced Driver's Licenses, which are available for residents in Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont, and Washington.
- The TSA will also accept Enhanced Tribal Cards, permanent resident and border crossing cards, Department of Defense IDs, and foreign passports as forms of identification for airport security checks.
- If you don't have a REAL ID-compliant license and need to travel after May 7, it's essential to check your state's specific requirements for obtaining a REAL ID, which typically involves providing proof of your legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, address, and residency status.
