Real ID deadline is rapidly approaching, what to know about the new flight requirement

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The deadline to make your state-issued identification card or driver’s license Real ID compliant is approaching quickly.

Starting in 2025, you won’t be able to fly domestically without a Real ID. The Real ID Act, passed in 2005, aimed to establish “minimum security standards” for state-issued identification documents.

Originally scheduled to take effect in 2020, the implementation was delayed by the Department of Homeland Security due to “backlogged transactions” at motor vehicle departments nationwide caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, as reported by USA TODAY.

DHS extended the deadline to May 2025, allowing state driver’s licensing agencies time to manage the large volume of paperwork and make progress on the Real ID rollout.

In 2022, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated that after the enforcement deadline, federal agencies, including the Transportation Security Administration, would not be permitted to accept driver’s licenses and identification cards that do not meet these federal standards.

This means that every traveler aged 18 or older must have a compliant form of identification to travel.

Here’s what you need to know.

When does Real ID go into effect?

According to DHS, the Real ID “full enforcement date” is set for Wednesday, May 7, 2025.

When will a Real ID be required to fly?

By May 7, 2025, individuals or their loved ones must possess a Real ID-compliant document, driver’s license, or identification card in order to fly domestically. If you have another TSA-approved form of identification, like a current passport or a permanent resident card, you might not need a Real ID.

Here are some TSA-approved alternatives if you’re unsure about getting a Real ID:

State-issued enhanced driver’s license
DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
U.S. Department of Defense ID, including IDs issued to dependents
Border crossing card
An acceptable photo ID issued by a federally recognized Tribal Nation/Indian Tribe
HSPD-12 PIV card
Foreign government-issued passport
Canadian provincial driver’s license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card
Transportation worker identification credential
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766)
U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential
Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)

How long does it take to get a Real ID?

It takes about two weeks, or 15 business days, to get your Real ID or Enhanced Driver’s License from your state’s Motor Vehicle Department.

Enhanced driver’s licenses, which are only issued in a few states, including Washington, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, and Vermont, are acceptable alternatives to Real ID-compliant cards, according to DHS.

How do I know if I have a Real ID?

All Real IDs will have a stamp in the upper right-hand corner indicating that the identification document meets federal standards set by the Real ID Act of 2005. The symbol on your Real ID card will vary depending on the state where you obtained it.

What does a Real ID look like?

Your Real ID will include most, if not all, of the information on your driver’s license. The main difference is the seal in the upper right-hand corner.