Jazmin Li
As of May 2025, all US travelers must have a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or another acceptable form of identification, such as a passport, to board domestic flights and access certain federal facilities. A REAL ID-compliant driver's license is indicated by a star in the upper right corner. North Carolina residents have the option to upgrade to a REAL ID if their license does not already have a star.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Can I use an NC driver's license at the airport? | Yes, but it must be REAL ID-compliant, with a gold star in the upper right corner. |
| REAL ID-compliant | A REAL ID-compliant license has a gold star, indicating it meets federal regulations for minimum security standards. |
| Alternative forms of ID | A U.S. passport or other federally-approved ID is required if the license is not REAL ID-compliant. |
| Deadline | From May 7, 2025, a REAL ID or alternative will be mandatory to board a domestic flight or access certain federal facilities. |
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What You'll Learn
- From May 2025, a REAL ID-compliant driver's license is required to board a domestic flight
- A North Carolina REAL ID driver's license has a gold star in the top right corner
- A U.S. passport is an acceptable alternative form of ID at the airport
- A temporary driver's license is not an acceptable form of identification
- A REAL ID-compliant license is required to enter secure federal facilities
From May 2025, a REAL ID-compliant driver's license is required to board a domestic flight
From May 2025, a REAL ID-compliant driver's license will be required to board a domestic flight in the US. This is because the REAL ID Act, passed by Congress in 2005, set minimum security standards for license issuance and production. Federal agencies, including the TSA, are prohibited from accepting non-compliant IDs for certain official purposes.
To be REAL ID-compliant, a driver's license must have a REAL ID star marking at the top right corner. This marking indicates that the holder has provided proof of identity, proof of a Social Security number, and proof of residency.
If your state-issued driver's license does not have this marking, you will need to provide an alternative form of identification to board a domestic flight. These alternatives include a U.S. passport, a DHS trusted traveler card, or a U.S. Department of Defense ID.
It is important to note that the list of acceptable IDs is subject to change without notice. Therefore, it is recommended to check the TSA website or with your state department of motor vehicles before traveling to ensure you have acceptable identification.
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A North Carolina REAL ID driver's license has a gold star in the top right corner
As of May 7, 2025, a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or other acceptable forms of ID will be required to board a domestic flight or access certain federal facilities. A North Carolina REAL ID driver's license has a gold star in the top right corner. This indicates that the license meets federal regulations and security standards.
If your North Carolina driver's license already has a gold star, then you are already prepared for when the law comes into effect. You do not need to take any further action. However, if your North Carolina driver's license does not have a star, you will need to upgrade to a REAL ID-compliant license. This can be done by visiting your local North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles office in person and bringing certain documents to prove your identity, such as a passport or birth certificate.
It is important to note that a standard North Carolina driver's license without the star will not be accepted as a valid form of identification at airports for domestic flights starting May 2025. If you present a non-compliant license at the TSA checkpoint without another acceptable form of ID, you may be directed to a separate area for additional screening. To avoid any delays or inconveniences, it is recommended to obtain a REAL ID-compliant license before your travel date.
In addition to a REAL ID-compliant driver's license, other acceptable forms of identification for domestic air travel include a U.S. passport, passport card, DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST), and a U.S. Department of Defense ID. These IDs can be used as alternatives to a REAL ID driver's license when boarding domestic flights or visiting federal facilities. It is always a good idea to check the list of acceptable IDs before traveling to ensure you have the proper documentation.
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A U.S. passport is an acceptable alternative form of ID at the airport
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. This means that a North Carolina (NC) driver's license can only be used at the airport if it is REAL ID-compliant. A REAL ID-compliant NC driver's license has a gold star at the top. If your NC driver's license does not have this gold star, you will need to provide additional identification when going through the TSA security checkpoint.
It is important to note that the list of acceptable IDs is subject to change without notice. The TSA strongly encourages travellers to check the list of acceptable IDs before travelling to ensure they have the proper identification. In addition to a U.S. passport, other acceptable forms of ID at the airport include a state-issued Enhanced Driver's License (EDL) or Enhanced ID (EID), DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST), and a U.S. Department of Defense ID.
If you are unsure whether your NC driver's license complies with REAL ID requirements, you can check with your state department of motor vehicles. It is recommended to plan ahead and allow sufficient time to obtain a REAL ID-compliant license or alternative form of ID, such as a U.S. passport, before your travel date. Obtaining a passport can take several weeks, including processing and mailing times.
In certain cases, if you do not have an acceptable form of ID at the airport, you may still be able to complete an identity verification process. This typically involves providing information such as your name and current address to confirm your identity. However, it is important to be prepared and carry the proper identification to avoid any delays or additional screening at the airport.
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A temporary driver's license is not an acceptable form of identification
As of May 7, 2025, a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or another acceptable form of identification will be mandatory at airports. This means that state-issued driver's licenses and IDs that are not REAL ID-compliant will no longer be accepted as valid forms of identification. A temporary driver's license is not an acceptable form of identification. This is because temporary licenses do not comply with the REAL ID Act, passed by Congress in 2005, which sets minimum security standards for identification documents.
The REAL ID Act was enacted to address the 9/11 Commission's recommendation that the Federal Government establish standards for the issuance of sources of identification, such as driver's licenses and identification cards. The Act prohibits federal agencies, including the TSA, from accepting noncompliant IDs for official purposes. To be REAL ID-compliant, a driver's license must meet federal regulations and establish minimum security standards. REAL ID-compliant licenses are marked with a small star in the upper right corner.
North Carolina residents have the option to upgrade to a REAL ID-compliant license if their current license does not have the star. This can be done by visiting their local North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles office with the required documents. A REAL ID-compliant license or another acceptable form of ID, such as a passport, will be required to board a domestic flight or access secure federal facilities, including military bases and some federal offices.
It is important to note that the list of acceptable IDs is subject to change without notice. Passengers are strongly encouraged to check the list of acceptable IDs before traveling to ensure they have the proper identification. This can be done by checking with the state department of motor vehicles or using the TSA's interactive tool to determine if you are REAL ID-ready.
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A REAL ID-compliant license is required to enter secure federal facilities
As per the REAL ID Act passed by Congress in 2005, federal agencies are prohibited from accepting non-compliant driver's licenses and identification cards for certain official purposes. This includes accessing secure federal facilities. Starting May 7, 2025, every state resident will need to present a REAL ID-compliant license or another acceptable form of identification to enter secure federal facilities. This means that a REAL ID-compliant license is required to enter secure federal facilities.
A REAL ID-compliant license is a driver's license or ID card that is also a federally accepted form of identification. These IDs have a star in the upper-right corner. To get a REAL ID, you can apply or renew your driver's license or state ID card and choose to make it REAL ID-compliant. The process and requirements may vary depending on your state, so it is recommended to check with your state department of motor vehicles. Generally, you will need to provide proof of identity, such as a birth certificate, passport, or Permanent Resident Card, and proof of a Social Security number.
If you do not have a REAL ID-compliant license, you may still be able to enter secure federal facilities by presenting another acceptable form of identification. This can include a valid U.S. passport, a state-issued Enhanced Driver's License (EDL), or a DHS-trusted traveler card. It's important to note that a temporary driver's license is not considered an acceptable form of identification.
In addition to entering secure federal facilities, a REAL ID-compliant license or an acceptable alternative form of identification will also be required for boarding domestic flights and accessing certain military installations starting May 7, 2025. Therefore, it is important to ensure that you have the necessary identification documents before traveling or attempting to access secure federal facilities.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, starting May 7, 2025, all US travelers must have a REAL ID-compliant driver's license to board domestic flights.
A REAL ID-compliant driver's license has a small star in the upper right corner.
If your driver's license is not REAL ID-compliant, you will need another form of approved identification, such as a passport, to board your flight.
You can get a REAL ID-compliant driver's license from your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office.
It's better to get your REAL ID-compliant driver's license sooner rather than later. The deadline is less than a year away, starting on May 7, 2025.
