Roberta Aguirre
As of May 7, 2025, state-issued driver's licenses and IDs that are not REAL ID-compliant are no longer accepted as valid forms of identification at airports. However, in some cases, it is possible to fly domestically within the United States with an expired driver's license. The TSA currently accepts expired IDs up to two years after expiration, but this is subject to change without notice. It is recommended to check the TSA's acceptable ID page for updates and bring an alternative form of acceptable identification, such as a passport, to ensure a smooth check-in and security screening process.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| TSA's stance on expired IDs | TSA currently accepts expired IDs up to two years after expiration. |
| REAL ID compliance | From May 7, 2025, state-issued IDs and licenses must be REAL ID-compliant to be accepted at airports. |
| Alternative forms of ID | A passport, passport card, DHS trusted traveler cards, U.S. Department of Defense ID, permanent resident card, etc. |
| TSA's response to non-compliant IDs | Passengers may be directed to a separate area and may receive additional screening. |
| Issues with expired IDs | Some people have reported issues with using expired IDs at airport security, with demands for a current ID. |
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What You'll Learn
- TSA rules state that expired IDs are acceptable for up to a year
- State-issued IDs that are not REAL ID-compliant are no longer accepted
- TSA accepts expired ID up to two years after expiration for certain forms of ID
- If your ID is not REAL ID-compliant, you may be asked to complete an identity verification process
- Other acceptable forms of ID include a passport, passport card, or DHS trusted traveler cards
TSA rules state that expired IDs are acceptable for up to a year
While TSA rules do state that expired IDs are acceptable for up to a year, there have been reports of this rule not always being honoured at airport security. One traveller with an expired ID was asked if they had a current, non-expired ID, and when they refused, the staff member continued to demand a non-expired ID. Another traveller was threatened with being treated as a "no ID" case.
However, there are also reports of travellers successfully using expired IDs at airport security. One traveller reported that a TSA agent was "gracious" and allowed them to pass through security with an expired license. Another traveller reported that other TSA employees had complimented them for their "clever use" of an expired ID.
It is important to note that TSA rules on expired IDs may change after the Real ID rules come into effect on May 7, 2025. Starting on this date, state-issued driver's licenses and IDs that are not Real ID-compliant will no longer be accepted as valid forms of identification at airports. Passengers will need to present a Real ID-compliant license or an acceptable alternative, such as a passport.
To ensure a smooth check-in and security screening process, it is recommended to bring a non-expired form of acceptable identification, such as a passport, a passport card, or a DHS trusted traveller card.
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State-issued IDs that are not REAL ID-compliant are no longer accepted
As of May 7, 2025, state-issued IDs that are not REAL ID-compliant will no longer be accepted as valid forms of identification at airports. This means that passengers travelling with a non-compliant ID will need to bring an acceptable alternative form of ID, such as a passport, or they will need to enrol for a state-issued REAL ID through their state DMV offices.
If a non-compliant, state-issued ID is presented at a TSA checkpoint, the passenger may be directed to a separate area for additional screening. The TSA officer may then ask the passenger to complete an identity verification process, which includes providing information such as their name and current address. If the passenger's identity is confirmed, they will be allowed to enter the screening checkpoint, but they may still be subject to further screening.
It is important to note that this change only applies to state-issued IDs that are not REAL ID-compliant. There are many other forms of ID that are still considered acceptable by the TSA, including:
- A U.S. passport or passport card
- DHS trusted traveller cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
- U.S. Department of Defense ID
- Permanent resident card
- Border crossing card
- A photo ID issued by a federally recognised Tribal Nation/Indian Tribe
- HSPD-12 PIV card
- Transportation worker identification credential
- Veteran Health Identification Card
It is always recommended to check the list of acceptable IDs before travelling to ensure you have the correct documentation. This list can be found on the TSA website and is subject to change without notice. In addition, the TSA currently accepts expired IDs up to two years after their expiration date, but this may change with the introduction of the REAL ID rules. Therefore, it is crucial to stay up to date with the latest requirements to ensure a smooth check-in and security screening process.
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TSA accepts expired ID up to two years after expiration for certain forms of ID
As per TSA guidelines, certain forms of expired ID are acceptable at airport security. However, it's important to note that this is only valid for IDs that have been expired for less than two years. After two years, the ID is no longer considered acceptable by the TSA.
The TSA has a list of acceptable forms of identification that includes a U.S. passport, passport card, DHS trusted traveller cards, U.S. Department of Defense ID, permanent resident card, and more. A temporary driver's license is not considered acceptable. It's worth noting that TSA guidelines are subject to change without notice, so it's always a good idea to check the latest information on their website before travelling.
From May 7, 2025, state-issued IDs and licenses that are not REAL ID-compliant will no longer be accepted as valid forms of identification at airports. Passengers will need to present a REAL ID-compliant license or an acceptable alternative, such as a passport. This change may also impact the rules regarding the acceptance of expired IDs, but the TSA has not yet commented on this.
While the TSA does accept certain expired IDs, some travellers have reported friction and issues when attempting to use expired IDs at airport security. In some cases, TSA officers have requested alternative forms of identification. Therefore, it is always advisable to travel with a valid form of identification to ensure a smooth check-in and security screening process.
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If your ID is not REAL ID-compliant, you may be asked to complete an identity verification process
As of May 7, 2025, state-issued driver's licenses and IDs that are not REAL ID-compliant will no longer be accepted as valid forms of identification at airports. If your ID is not REAL ID-compliant, you may be asked to complete an identity verification process, which includes providing information such as your name and current address. This process can be time-consuming, and you may be directed to a separate area for additional screening.
To avoid any issues, it is recommended to travel with an acceptable alternative form of ID, such as a passport, or to enroll for a state-issued REAL ID through your state DMV office before your trip. You can also check with your state department of motor vehicles to confirm if your current ID is REAL ID-compliant.
It is worth noting that the TSA currently accepts expired IDs up to two years after expiration for the listed forms of identification. However, this policy may change after the Real ID rules come into effect. Therefore, it is always best to check the TSA acceptable ID page for the latest updates before your travel.
Additionally, other forms of acceptable IDs include a passport card, DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, Nexus, Sentri, Fast), a U.S. Department of Defense ID, a permanent resident card, a border crossing card, and a photo ID issued by a federally recognized Tribal Nation/Indian Tribe.
While some individuals have reported successfully flying with expired IDs, it is not recommended to rely solely on this option. The acceptance of expired IDs can vary across different airports and TSA employees. To ensure a smooth check-in and security screening process, it is advisable to carry a valid and compliant form of identification.
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Other acceptable forms of ID include a passport, passport card, or DHS trusted traveler cards
As of May 7, 2025, state-issued driver's licenses and IDs that are not REAL ID-compliant will no longer be accepted as valid forms of identification at airports. Passengers without a REAL ID-compliant license will need to travel with an acceptable alternative form of ID, such as a passport, or enroll for a state-issued REAL ID through their state DMV offices.
In addition to the aforementioned forms of ID, passengers can also use a State-issued Enhanced Driver's License (EDL) or Enhanced ID (EID). For those with U.S. citizenship, a U.S. Department of Defense ID is also acceptable. Furthermore, TSA currently accepts expired IDs up to two years after expiration, but only for the above-listed forms of identification.
It is worth noting that there have been conflicting reports of travellers flying with expired IDs. While some travellers have reported success in using expired IDs, others have encountered friction and been asked for additional forms of identification. Therefore, it is always advisable to travel with a valid form of identification to ensure a smooth check-in and security screening process.
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Frequently asked questions
It depends. TSA currently accepts expired IDs up to two years after expiration, but this only applies to certain forms of identification. It is recommended to bring a different form of acceptable identification, such as a passport, to ensure a smooth check-in and security screening process.
According to the TSA website, other acceptable forms of ID include a passport card, DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST), U.S. Department of Defense ID, permanent resident card, and more.
If you do not have an acceptable form of ID, you will be notified of your non-compliance and may be directed to a separate area for additional screening. The TSA officer may ask you to complete an identity verification process, which includes collecting information such as your name and current address to confirm your identity.
