Jazmin Li
As of May 7, 2025, all Americans, including Wisconsin residents, must have a REAL ID-compliant driver's license to use it as a valid form of identification at airports. A REAL ID-compliant license is indicated by a black star in the upper right corner of the license. This was implemented by the REAL ID Act, passed in 2005, which set minimum security standards for state-issued driver's licenses and identification cards. Wisconsin residents can obtain a REAL ID-compliant license by visiting a Wisconsin DMV office and providing the required documentation. Alternatively, travelers can use other forms of acceptable identification, such as a valid passport or military ID, to board their flights.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Can I use a Wisconsin driver's license to check in at the airport? | Yes, but it must be REAL ID-compliant. |
| What is REAL ID? | REAL ID is a set of minimum security standards for state-issued driver's licenses and identification cards. |
| How can I identify a REAL ID-compliant license? | Look for a cutout of a star on a black background in the upper right corner of the license. |
| When did the REAL ID requirement come into effect? | October 1, 2020 |
| What other forms of identification can be used at the airport? | A passport or military ID is accepted at the airport instead of a REAL ID-compliant driver's license. |
| What happens after 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. |
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What You'll Learn
- Wisconsin residents need a REAL ID-compliant driver's license to fly from October 1, 2020
- A REAL ID-compliant driver's license has a star on a black background in the top right corner
- REAL ID Acts were passed by Congress in 2005 to set standards for identification
- Air travelers can use a passport or military ID instead of a REAL ID-compliant driver's license
- REAL ID-compliant driver's licenses are issued by the Wisconsin DMV
Wisconsin residents need a REAL ID-compliant driver's license to fly from October 1, 2020
As of October 1, 2020, Wisconsin residents who wish to fly domestically need a REAL ID-compliant driver's license. This rule applies to all U.S. airports, and travelers will need to present a REAL ID-compliant form of identification to pass through airport security. The REAL ID Act was passed by Congress in 2005, creating a federal standard form of identification. This was recommended by the 9/11 Commission to standardize the forms of ID accepted in federal facilities.
Wisconsin has been issuing REAL ID-compliant licenses and ID cards since January 14, 2013. To identify a REAL ID-compliant Wisconsin driver's license, look for a cutout star on a black background in the upper right-hand corner of the license. Wisconsin also offers non-compliant driver's licenses. To obtain a REAL ID, you must visit a DMV location with the necessary documentation, including proof of name and date of birth, proof of legal presence in the U.S., and proof of identity. There is a $15 cost for a new REAL ID, but if your driver's license is up for renewal, there is no additional cost for the upgrade.
It's important to note that other forms of identification, such as a passport or military ID, can also be used for domestic air travel. However, as the majority of passengers over 18 use a driver's license, officials are concerned that travelers may show up without the proper identification. Wisconsin residents are encouraged to obtain a REAL ID-compliant license before the deadline to avoid any issues when traveling by air.
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A REAL ID-compliant driver's license has a star on a black background in the top right corner
As of October 1, 2020, Wisconsin residents need a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or another acceptable form of ID, such as a passport or military ID, to fly. This is in accordance with the REAL ID Act, passed by Congress in 2005, which established minimum security standards for state-issued driver's licenses and identification cards. Federal agencies are prohibited from accepting licenses and identification cards that do not meet these standards at airport security checkpoints.
If your Wisconsin driver's license does not have this marking, you will need to obtain a REAL ID-compliant license or another acceptable form of ID to use it for air travel. You can do this by visiting a DMV and providing the necessary paperwork. The Wisconsin DMV encourages travelers to prepare their paperwork and visit a DMV before the deadline to avoid any issues.
It is important to note that the REAL ID-compliant license is not required for all purposes. You can still obtain a non-REAL ID-compliant driver's license or state ID card, but it will not be accepted for air travel or to enter certain federal facilities or military installations.
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REAL ID Acts were passed by Congress in 2005 to set standards for identification
In 2004, the 9/11 Commission recommended that the federal government establish standards for identification documents. This recommendation was issued in response to the September 11 attacks. The REAL ID Act was passed by Congress in 2005 to set standards for identification and address concerns raised by the 9/11 Commission. The Act established minimum security standards for state-issued driver's licenses and identification cards. It also prohibited federal agencies from accepting licenses and identification cards that did not meet these standards for official purposes, such as at airport security checkpoints.
The REAL ID Act of 2005 is a federal law that standardises the requirements for driver's licenses and identification cards issued by US states and territories. To be accepted for accessing government facilities, nuclear power plants, and boarding airline flights in the US, individuals must present identification that meets the standards set by the Act. The Act includes provisions for verifying personal information, implementing security features on documents, and facilitating the electronic sharing of databases between states.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) are responsible for implementing the REAL ID Act. The DHS has initiated a public awareness campaign, "Be Your REAL ID Self," to promote awareness of the REAL ID requirements and encourage individuals to take action before the deadline. The TSA has also posted signs at Wisconsin airports to remind travellers of the upcoming changes in ID requirements.
To determine if a Wisconsin driver's license is REAL ID-compliant, look for a star on a black or gold background in the upper right corner of the license. Wisconsin residents can obtain a REAL ID-compliant license or ID card from the DMV. It is important to note that a passport or military ID can also be used as an alternative form of identification to board a plane.
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Air travelers can use a passport or military ID instead of a REAL ID-compliant driver's license
As of October 1, 2020, Wisconsin residents have been required to present a REAL ID-compliant driver's license to fly. This means that Wisconsin residents must have a REAL ID-compliant license or another acceptable form of ID to board a plane. A Wisconsin driver's license is REAL ID-compliant if it has a cutout of a star on a black background in the upper right-hand corner.
If you are traveling domestically, you only need one valid form of identification, which can be either a REAL ID or another acceptable alternative such as a passport or military ID. This means that air travelers can use a passport or military ID instead of a REAL ID-compliant driver's license. Other acceptable forms of identification include an Enhanced Driver's License (EDL) or a passport card. A state-issued EDL is an acceptable alternative to a REAL ID for boarding a commercial aircraft, accessing federal facilities, and entering nuclear power plants.
The REAL ID Act, passed by Congress in 2005, sets minimum security standards for state-issued driver's licenses and identification cards. It prohibits federal agencies from accepting licenses and identification cards from states that do not meet these standards for official purposes, such as at airport security checkpoints. The Act was amended in 2018 to authorize states to issue full-term REAL ID-compliant driver's licenses and identification cards to citizens of the Freely Associated States.
To obtain a REAL ID-compliant driver's license, you must provide proof of identity, proof of a Social Security number, and proof of residency. To prove your identity, you can bring a U.S. birth certificate, U.S. passport, or Permanent Resident Card (Green Card) if you are a non-U.S. citizen. To prove your Social Security number, you can provide your Social Security card, Form W-2, pay stub, or paycheck. To prove residency, you may need to provide a deed, mortgage statement, lease agreement, utility bill, or bank statement.
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REAL ID-compliant driver's licenses are issued by the Wisconsin DMV
To answer the question, 'Can I use a Wisconsin driver's license to check in at the airport?', you must first understand the REAL ID Act. Passed by Congress in 2005, the REAL ID Act sets standards for the issuance of state identification documents, such as driver's licenses. Federal agencies are prohibited from accepting licenses from states that do not meet these standards for official purposes, including at airport security checkpoints.
Wisconsin has been issuing REAL ID-compliant driver's licenses since January 2013. These licenses are identifiable by a star in the upper right corner of the card. If your Wisconsin driver's license does not have this star, it is not REAL ID-compliant. In this case, you will need another acceptable form of ID, such as a passport or military ID, to board a plane.
To obtain a REAL ID-compliant driver's license in Wisconsin, you must visit your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) customer service center. The cost of a new REAL ID is $15, but if your driver's license is up for renewal, there is no additional cost for the REAL ID upgrade. It is recommended that you visit your local DMV sooner rather than later, as wait times will likely increase as the deadline approaches.
It is important to note that the deadline for REAL ID compliance has been extended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The original deadline of October 1, 2020, was pushed back to October 1, 2021, to ensure that everyone has enough time to obtain their REAL ID. This deadline applies to all passengers flying out of airports in Wisconsin and across the country.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, but it must be a REAL ID-compliant license. You can identify a REAL ID-compliant license by looking for a cut-out star on a black background in the upper right corner. If you do not have a REAL ID-compliant license, you can use a passport or military ID to board a plane.
The REAL ID Act was passed by Congress in 2005 to establish minimum security standards for state-issued driver's licenses and identification cards. The Act prohibits federal agencies, including the TSA, from accepting non-compliant licenses and identification cards for official purposes, such as at airport security checkpoints.
The REAL ID Act went into effect on October 1, 2020, for Wisconsin residents. 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.
You can obtain a REAL ID-compliant license from the Wisconsin Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV). It is recommended that you prepare your paperwork and visit a DMV before traveling to ensure you have acceptable identification.
Yes, a passport or military ID can be used in lieu of a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or ID to board domestic flights and visit federal facilities.
