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REAL ID Enforcement Began May 7, 2025: What You Need to Fly Now

Adults flying in the U.S. need a REAL ID-compliant state credential or another ID TSA accepts. A passport or passport card works; a temporary license does not.
From TheFinanceBase Team3 min to read
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REAL ID enforcement at U.S. airport security checkpoints began on May 7, 2025. For domestic flights, travelers age 18 and older now need a REAL ID-compliant state driver’s license or photo ID—or another identification document on the TSA’s accepted list. A U.S. passport or passport card works as an alternative. A temporary driver’s license does not.

What ID do you need to fly?

At a TSA checkpoint, an adult traveler must present a REAL ID-compliant state credential or another form of identification TSA accepts. The requirement applies to travelers age 18 and older, including people enrolled in TSA PreCheck. Check TSA’s current list of acceptable identification before you leave: TSA says the list can change without notice.

Accepted alternatives to a REAL ID

TSA’s list includes these credentials:

  • U.S. passport or passport card
  • State Enhanced Driver’s License or Enhanced ID
  • DHS trusted-traveler cards, including Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI and FAST
  • U.S. Department of Defense ID
  • Permanent resident card or border crossing card
  • Qualifying tribal photo ID
  • HSPD-12 PIV card
  • Foreign passport
  • Canadian provincial driver’s license
  • Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC)
  • Employment authorization card
  • Merchant Mariner Credential
  • Veteran Health Identification Card

A temporary driver’s license is not acceptable checkpoint identification. TSA says it accepts listed ID types for up to two years after expiration; confirm the rules on its current page before relying on an expired document.

How to tell whether your license is REAL ID-compliant

Look for the marking used by the state that issued your license or ID. Markings vary: New York REAL ID credentials, for example, have a star or U.S. flag, but that is not a universal design rule. If you are unsure, check with your state DMV. TSA’s New York announcement describes New York’s markers and links the issue to that state’s process; it is not a nationwide guide to application requirements or timing.

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What if you do not have acceptable ID?

TSA may try to verify your identity. The process can involve providing information such as your name and current address. If TSA confirms who you are, it may allow you to proceed to screening, potentially with additional screening. If you refuse to cooperate or TSA cannot confirm your identity, you will not be admitted to the checkpoint. Identity verification is not a guaranteed substitute for acceptable ID, so do not assume you will be able to fly without one.

What about children and expired IDs?

Under TSA’s rule, children under 18 generally do not need identification for domestic travel. Airlines may have their own requirements for travelers under 18, so check with your airline. Unaccompanied minors eligible for TSA PreCheck need acceptable identification to use expedited screening.

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TSA currently says it accepts listed identification for up to two years after the expiration date. Check TSA’s page to confirm that the document type and circumstances meet its current guidance.

What to do before your trip

  1. Check your credential. Confirm whether your state license or ID is REAL ID-compliant using your state DMV’s guidance.
  2. Compare it with TSA’s current list. If it is not compliant, see whether you already have another accepted document, such as a passport or passport card.
  3. Contact your state DMV if you need a REAL ID. Application steps and processing times are state-specific; check the issuing state’s official instructions and plan accordingly.
  4. Do not rely on a temporary license or a promise of identity verification. Neither guarantees checkpoint access.
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How common was compliance when enforcement began?

In an April 24, 2025 release, TSA reported that 81 percent of travelers at checkpoints nationwide presented acceptable identification. The same release reported a Utah Department of Public Safety estimate that 95 percent of Utahns had a Utah REAL ID-compliant credential. These are dated 2025 figures, not current 2026 compliance rates, and the 95 percent estimate applies only to Utah.

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