Owais Crawford
As of summer 2023, the TSA will accept expired driver's licenses as long as they have not been expired for over a year and expired after March 1, 2020. However, there is no clear answer as to whether a visibly damaged driver's license will be accepted. It is likely that if the damage obscures any information on the license, it will not be accepted. The TSA does, however, provide alternatives to get through security without a government-issued ID, such as a federal or state-issued photo ID, or a digital ID. Additionally, it is worth noting that 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 are encouraged to check the list of acceptable IDs before traveling and to bring more identification than they think they need. Furthermore, photographs of IDs can be useful in the case of a lost or stolen wallet, although this is not foolproof.
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What You'll Learn
TSA criteria for damaged IDs
As of the summer of 2023, the TSA will accept expired driver's licenses, but only under certain conditions. Firstly, the driver's license must have expired after March 1, 2020. Secondly, the ID must not have been expired for longer than one year.
If your driver's license is damaged, the TSA may still accept it, provided the damage does not obscure the information on the license. "Damage is in the eye of the beholder," so whether your license is considered damaged depends on the TSA agent. If your license is severely torn or shredded, making it difficult to read the information, it is less likely to be accepted.
If your ID is considered too damaged, you can still get through airport security by providing secondary documents that prove your identity. There is no exact formula for what documents will be needed, but the TSA provides guidance on its website. Some documents that may be accepted include a paper ID, student ID, or Social Security card.
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 should either travel with an acceptable alternative form of ID, like a passport, or enroll for a state-issued REAL ID through their state DMV offices.
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REAL ID requirements
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. REAL ID-compliant cards will have one of the following markings on the upper top portion of the card.
To be REAL ID-compliant, your license, permit, or ID must be issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles (or an equivalent) and meet certain specifications. These specifications include security standards for license issuance and production. States may impose additional requirements, so it is recommended to check with your state's driver's licensing agency website for specific details.
If your ID is not REAL ID-compliant, you will need to travel with an acceptable alternative form of ID, such as a passport, passport card, or state-issued Enhanced Driver's License. Other acceptable forms of ID include a U.S. Department of Defense ID, a federally recognized Tribal Nation/Indian Tribe-issued photo ID, or a DHS trusted traveler card (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST).
If you are unsure if your ID complies with REAL ID requirements, you can check with your state department of motor vehicles. It is recommended to renew your license or ID early if you want to convert to a REAL or Enhanced License or ID. To renew early, your license or ID must be valid, not expired, and issued more than 6 months ago. You must also meet the proof of lawful status, identity, and residency requirements for a REAL or Enhanced photo document.
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Temporary driver's license
As per the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), a temporary driver's license is not an acceptable form of identification at TSA checkpoints. Passengers without a REAL ID-compliant form of identification will be notified of their non-compliance and may be directed to a separate area for additional screening. This includes TSA PreCheck passengers. However, if you are a non-immigrant but are authorized to be in the U.S., you may present a Temporary Resident Identification Card or other temporary resident documentation.
In some states, temporary licenses specifically state that they are only valid for operating a vehicle and are not a legal form of identification. For example, in Massachusetts, temporary driver's licenses have the words "not valid for ID" printed in red. However, in other states, temporary licenses may be used as a form of photo identification. For instance, in California, individuals who have ordered a replacement license online can access a temporary license that is valid for 30 days.
It is important to note that 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 are encouraged to travel with an acceptable alternative form of ID, such as a passport, or enroll for a state-issued REAL ID.
If your driver's license is damaged, it may or may not be accepted by TSA agents, depending on the severity of the damage and the agent's comfort level with deciphering less-than-clear details. It is generally recommended to bring more forms of identification than you think you need when trying to verify your ID and to allow extra time at the airport for the identification process.
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Digital IDs
As of summer 2023, the TSA will accept expired driver's licenses, but only if they expired after March 1, 2020, and have not been expired for longer than one year. It is not clear whether a broken license would be accepted, but if the details are still legible, it may be possible to argue that it is simply normal wear and tear. However, this may depend on the agent's eyesight and comfort level with deciphering unclear details.
To avoid potential issues, one option is to use a Digital ID at over 250 airports to verify your identity at TSA checkpoints. Digital IDs are available through platforms such as Apple Wallet, Google Wallet, Samsung Wallet, or a state-issued app. Digital IDs are more secure and private than physical credentials, as they reduce the risk of fraudulent documents and allow you to share only the information necessary for identity verification. Facial recognition technology is voluntary, and you can inform a TSA officer if you do not wish to participate.
To use a Digital ID, you must add your acceptable state-issued eligible driver's license or identification card to your phone using a TSA-approved digital ID app or your phone's digital wallet. Be sure to follow the setup instructions from your device wallet or app before your trip to ensure it is ready to present at TSA checkpoints. Currently, 14 states and Puerto Rico offer digital IDs, and more are expected to join. The states currently issuing digital IDs include Arizona, California, Colorado, and Georgia. Digital IDs can be used at airports with CAT-2 technology that biometrically scans travelers' faces, such as John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK).
It is important to note that while Digital IDs are a convenient and secure option, passengers must still carry an acceptable compliant physical ID for verification. Additionally, 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 should either enroll for a state-issued REAL ID or travel with an acceptable alternative form of ID, like a passport.
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Other forms of ID
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 will need to travel with an acceptable alternative form of ID, like a passport, or enroll for a state-issued REAL ID through their state DMV offices.
If your driver's license is damaged, it may still be accepted as long as the details are legible. However, this could depend on the agent's eyesight and their comfort level with deciphering less than 100% clear details.
- Passport: A U.S. passport or passport card is a valid form of identification for domestic and international travel.
- State-issued Enhanced Driver's License (EDL) or Enhanced ID (EID): These provide proof of identity and U.S. citizenship, as well as additional information. Starting in January 2018, only an enhanced driver's license is considered an acceptable form of ID by the TSA.
- DHS Trusted Traveler Cards: This includes cards such as Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, and FAST.
- U.S. Department of Defense ID: This includes IDs issued to active-duty or retired military personnel, their dependents, and Department of Defense civilians.
- Federally recognized Tribal Nation/Indian Tribe-issued photo ID: This includes Enhanced Tribal Cards (ETCs).
- Digital IDs: The TSA has started accepting digital IDs, which can be helpful if you have a damaged or lost physical ID card. This option is available for passengers with TSA Pre-Check, which requires a fee and a background check.
It's important to note that the list of acceptable IDs may change, and some forms of ID that are not considered valid include library cards, fishing licenses, school or university IDs, workplace IDs, and expired IDs. Always check the TSA website for the most up-to-date information before your travel.
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Frequently asked questions
It depends on the extent of the damage. If the details are still legible, you may be allowed to get through. However, if the information is obscured, you may be denied passage.
As of summer 2023, the TSA will accept expired driver's licenses, but only if they expired after March 1, 2020, and have not been expired for longer than one year.
A REAL ID-compliant driver's license, state-issued photo identity card, U.S. passport, DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST), and U.S. Department of Defense ID are all accepted.
TSA Pre-Check is a program that requires a fee and background check, but it allows you to get through airport security faster and may be more lenient with damaged or missing IDs. Alternatively, you can use digital IDs or other forms of identification, such as a student ID or Social Security card.
The TSA provides alternatives to get through security without government-issued ID. They may ask you questions to verify your identity, such as your date of birth or previous addresses. Having photos of your IDs stored on your phone can also help prove your identity.
