With the May 7 enforcement deadline fast approaching, the U.S. State Department is reminding Americans of the federal requirements for boarding domestic flights under the REAL ID Act.
Why It Matters
The deadline to obtain a REAL ID will affect millions of Americans who need to fly domestically or enter federal buildings.
Beginning on that date, travelers aged 18 and older must present a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or an accepted alternative—such as a U.S. passport book or passport card—to board domestic flights and enter certain federal facilities.
What To Know
The REAL ID Act, passed in 2005, sets minimum security standards for state-issued IDs, such as driver’s licenses and identification cards. These must be issued by a state that complies with the federal requirements and typically displays a star in the upper right corner.
However, travelers aren’t limited to state IDs. The U.S. Department of State confirms that both the passport book and the passport card are accepted as REAL ID alternatives by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). That means if you have either one, you’re ready to fly domestically—even if your state-issued license isn’t compliant.
If your current driver’s license or state ID doesn’t meet standards, you can either apply for a REAL ID through your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles or consider getting a U.S. passport book or card. With Department of Motor Vehicles appointments filling up fast across the country, passports have become an increasingly popular option.
While the passport card cannot be used for international air travel, it can be used domestically and meets the REAL ID requirement. Its portability and lower cost make it an ideal backup option, especially for those who don’t want to carry a full passport book for U.S. travel.
The act was designed to bolster security by establishing a standardized identification system across all 50 states. While the legislation was initially set to take effect in 2007, its implementation has been delayed several times.
As of April 2025, about 81 percent of travelers at airport security checkpoints are using a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or passport, according to the TSA—leaving many others at risk of a last-minute race to meet the upcoming deadline.
What People Are Saying
A TSA spokesperson previously told Newsweek: “Noncompliant marked cards have no star and include language such as, ‘Not for REAL ID purposes’ or ‘Not for Federal ID.’ ‘Legacy’ noncompliant cards are licenses or IDs issued prior to a state beginning to issue REAL ID-compliant cards and have neither a star nor noncompliant language.
“Temporary state-issued documents are not accepted at all airport checkpoints, so passengers will need to arrive at the airport with an acceptable form of ID, such as a passport.
What Happens Next
The deadline is in the middle of May. If you don’t have a REAL ID-compliant license or an acceptable alternative like a U.S. passport book or card, you won’t be allowed to board domestic flights or enter certain federal buildings starting May 7, 2025.
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