Ruth Haines
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. Until then, the TSA accepts expired IDs up to two years after their expiration date. If your ID expired within the last year, you should be able to use it to fly domestically within the US, although this is not guaranteed, and you may be subject to additional screening. To be safe, it is recommended that you arrive at the airport early and bring as many identity-affirming documents as possible.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| TSA's acceptance of expired IDs | TSA currently accepts expired IDs up to two years after expiration. |
| TSA's acceptance of expired state IDs | TSA currently accepts expired state IDs up to one year after expiration. |
| TSA's acceptance of temporary IDs | TSA does not accept temporary IDs. |
| TSA's acceptance of non-REAL IDs after May 7, 2025 | TSA will not accept non-REAL IDs after May 7, 2025. |
| TSA's recommendations for passengers without valid IDs | TSA recommends passengers without valid IDs to arrive at the airport a couple of hours early and bring as much documentation with their name as possible. |
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What You'll Learn
- TSA accepts expired IDs up to two years after their expiration date
- State-issued IDs that are not REAL ID-compliant will not be accepted after May 7, 2025
- If your ID is expired, you may be asked to provide additional forms of identification
- REAL ID-compliant driver's licenses are accepted at airports
- If your ID is expired, allow extra time for security checks
TSA accepts expired IDs up to two years after their expiration date
As per the TSA website, passengers aged 18 and above must show valid identification at the airport checkpoint to be allowed to travel. However, TSA currently accepts expired IDs up to two years after their expiration date. This means that if your ID expired within the last two years, you can still use it as a valid form of identification at the airport.
It is important to note that this policy may change after the Real ID rules come into effect on May 7, 2025. From that date, only Real ID-compliant driver's licenses or other state photo identity cards will be accepted as valid forms of identification at airports. If you are unsure whether your ID complies with Real ID, you should check with your state department of motor vehicles.
If your ID has been expired for more than two years, or if you do not have an acceptable form of ID, you may be asked to provide additional forms of identification, such as a passport, birth certificate, or credit cards. You may also be directed to a separate area for additional screening and identity verification. To minimize potential delays, it is recommended to arrive at the airport early and provide as much documentation as possible to verify your identity.
While TSA currently accepts expired IDs within two years of their expiration date, it is always a good idea to renew your ID as soon as possible to avoid any potential issues during your travel. Additionally, some airlines may have specific ID requirements for travelers, so it is advisable to contact your airline beforehand to ensure you have the necessary documentation for your trip.
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State-issued IDs that are not REAL ID-compliant will not be accepted after May 7, 2025
As of May 7, 2025, state-issued IDs that are not REAL ID-compliant will not be accepted as valid forms of identification at airports. This means that if you plan to use your state-issued ID or license to fly within the United States, it needs to be REAL ID-compliant. If your ID is not REAL ID-compliant, you will need to present another acceptable form of identification, such as a passport, or a DHS-trusted traveler card (Global Entry, Nexus, Sentri, or Fast).
It is important to note that the TSA currently accepts expired IDs up to two years after their expiration date. However, this rule may change after the Real ID rules come into effect. If your ID has been expired for more than a year, it is recommended to bring another form of acceptable identification to avoid additional screening processes.
To check if your ID is REAL ID-compliant, look for a star in the upper right corner of your card. If your ID does not have this marking, it is not REAL ID-compliant and won't be accepted as proof of identity for boarding commercial aircraft. You can also check with your state department of motor vehicles to confirm if your ID complies with REAL ID requirements.
If you are unsure whether your ID will be accepted, it is recommended to arrive at the airport a few hours early and bring as much documentation with your name on it as possible, such as your birth certificate, credit cards, or tax forms. This will help ensure that you have sufficient identification and reduce potential delays.
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If your ID is expired, you may be asked to provide additional forms of identification
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, such as a passport, or enroll for a state-issued REAL ID through their state DMV offices.
If you are unable to present a valid ID, you may still be able to fly, but you should expect additional screening and identity verification processes. This includes providing information such as your name, current address, and other personal information. It is important to allow extra time at the airport, as this process may take longer.
To ensure a smooth check-in and security screening process, it is advisable to bring multiple forms of identification when traveling. In addition to a valid ID, you may want to bring documents such as your passport, birth certificate, credit cards, or other forms of ID listed on the TSA website.
It is worth noting that the rules regarding expired IDs may vary depending on the airport and the individual screening agent. While some people have reported being able to fly with an expired ID without any issues, others have had their expired IDs rejected. Therefore, it is always best to travel with a valid ID if possible.
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REAL ID-compliant driver's licenses are accepted at airports
As of May 7, 2025, U.S. travelers must be REAL ID-compliant to board domestic flights and access certain federal facilities. REAL ID-compliant licenses are marked with a star in the top right corner. If your driver's license is not REAL ID-compliant, you will need to bring another acceptable form of ID, such as a passport, or enroll for a state-issued REAL ID through your state DMV offices.
If your driver's license or state ID expired on or after March 1, 2020, and you are unable to renew it, you may still use it as acceptable identification at the airport security checkpoint. TSA currently accepts expired IDs up to one year after expiration. However, if it has been more than a year since your ID expired, you will need to bring another form of acceptable ID. This may include a passport, DHS trusted traveler cards, a permanent resident card, or a photo ID issued by a federally recognized Tribal Nation/Indian Tribe.
TSA does not require children under 18 to provide identification when traveling within the United States. However, unaccompanied minors who are eligible for TSA PreCheck must show an acceptable ID to receive expedited screening. If you are unsure whether your ID complies with REAL ID requirements, you should check with your state department of motor vehicles.
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If your ID is expired, allow extra time for security checks
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.
If your ID is expired, it is recommended that you allow extra time for security checks. While the TSA currently accepts expired IDs up to two years after expiration, this is subject to change without notice, and it is always best to check before travelling. In addition, an expired ID is not considered a valid form of identification, and you may be asked to provide additional documentation or undergo further screening.
If you are travelling with an expired ID, it is important to arrive at the airport early, especially during rush hours. You may be directed to a separate area and may be subject to additional screening, including an identity verification process. This process may include collecting information such as your name, current address, and other personal information to confirm your identity.
To minimize potential delays, it is recommended to bring as much documentation as possible that includes your name. This may include your birth certificate, credit cards, tax forms, voter registration, or other forms of identification, such as a passport or passport card. By preparing these documents in advance and allowing extra time at the airport, you can help ensure a smoother travel experience even with an expired ID.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the TSA currently accepts expired IDs up to one year after expiration. However, this may change in the future due to the implementation of REAL ID-compliant requirements. From May 7, 2025, state-issued IDs that are not REAL ID-compliant will no longer be accepted.
If your ID expired more than a year ago, you will need another acceptable form of ID, such as a passport, passport card, or a permanent resident card.
If you don't have an acceptable form of ID, you may be asked to provide two secondary forms of identification, such as proof of social security or mail with your name and address. You may also be directed to a separate area for additional screening and identity verification.
It is recommended to inform the airport or airline ahead of time if you have an expired ID to allow for extra screening time and to minimize potential delays.
Yes, you can enroll for a state-issued REAL ID through your state DMV office, or use another acceptable form of ID, such as a passport.
