Roberta Aguirre
It is important to carry valid identification when travelling, and different countries and airlines have different requirements. In the United States, the TSA requires adult passengers aged 18 and over to show valid identification at the airport checkpoint. The TSA currently accepts expired IDs up to one or two years after expiration, depending on the source. If it has been more than a year since the ID expired, it is recommended to bring a different form of acceptable identification, such as a passport. Passengers who do not have acceptable identification may be directed to a separate area and may be subject to additional screening, including an identity verification process.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Use of expired ID at the airport | TSA currently accepts expired IDs up to one year after expiration. If it has been more than a year, another acceptable form of ID is required. |
| Alternative forms of ID | Passport, DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, Nexus, Sentri, Fast), U.S. Department of Defense ID, permanent resident card, border crossing card, photo ID issued by a federally recognized Tribal Nation/Indian Tribe, HSPD-12 PIV card, Canadian provincial driver's license, Indian and Northern Affairs card, etc. |
| Additional screening | Passengers without acceptable forms of ID will be notified of their non-compliance and may be directed to a separate area for additional screening. |
| Identity verification | If a passenger does not have an acceptable form of ID, they may be asked to complete an identity verification process, which includes providing information such as their name and current address. |
| Children under 18 | TSA does not require children under 18 to provide identification when traveling within the United States. However, unaccompanied minors eligible for TSA PreCheck must show acceptable ID. |
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What You'll Learn
- TSA may accept expired IDs, but only up to a year after expiry
- If your ID expired over a year ago, you'll need another form of ID
- If you have no acceptable ID, you may be asked for two secondary forms of ID
- If your identity cannot be verified, you may need to go through an alternative identity verification process
- A temporary driver's license is not an acceptable form of ID
TSA may accept expired IDs, but only up to a year after expiry
It is important to note that the rules and requirements regarding identification at airports are subject to change, and passengers are advised to check the latest information before travelling. As of May 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. This means that passengers must travel with an acceptable alternative form of ID, such as a passport, or a state-issued REAL ID.
However, in certain cases, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) may accept expired IDs for a limited time after their expiry. Specifically, the TSA has stated that they currently accept expired driver's licenses or state-issued IDs up to one year after their expiration date. This policy allows individuals who may have recently missed the renewal deadline or misplaced their ID to still be able to travel without significant disruption.
It is important to emphasize that this acceptance of expired IDs is not indefinite. If an individual's ID has been expired for more than a year, they will need to present another form of acceptable identification. This could include a passport, passport card, DHS trusted traveler cards, a permanent resident card, or other forms listed on the TSA website.
Additionally, it is recommended to allow for extra time when travelling with an expired ID, as there may be additional security checks and identity verification processes. These processes may include collecting information such as your name, current address, and other personal details to confirm your identity.
While the TSA's acceptance of expired IDs provides some flexibility, it is always advisable to ensure that your identification documents are valid and up-to-date before travelling to avoid any potential delays or issues at the airport.
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If your ID expired over a year ago, you'll need another form of ID
As per the TSA, adult passengers aged 18 and above must show valid identification at the airport checkpoint to be allowed to travel. While the TSA currently accepts expired IDs up to two years after their expiration, if your ID expired over a year ago, you will need another form of acceptable ID. This is because the TSA currently accepts expired IDs for up to a year after their expiration date.
If your ID has been expired for over a year, you will need to bring a different form of acceptable identification. The most common alternative form of ID is a passport. Other 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, a photo ID issued by a federally recognized Tribal Nation/Indian Tribe HSPD-12 PIV card, a Canadian provincial driver's license, or an Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card.
If you do not have an acceptable form of ID, a TSA officer will ask you for two secondary forms of identification. The TSA officer will review all the documentation provided to verify your identity. To minimize any potential delays, it is recommended that you provide as much information and documentation as possible. If your identity cannot be verified with the provided documentation, you may be required to go through an alternative identity verification process, which includes collecting information such as your name, current address, and other personal information.
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If you have no acceptable ID, you may be asked for two secondary forms of ID
It is important to carry acceptable identification when travelling to the airport. Adult passengers aged 18 and above must show valid identification at the airport checkpoint. The list of acceptable IDs may change without notice, so it is recommended to check the list before travelling.
TSA currently accepts expired IDs up to two years after their expiration date. If it has been more than a year since your ID expired, you will need another form of acceptable ID. If you have no acceptable ID, you may be asked for two secondary forms of ID. The TSA officer will review all the documentation provided to verify your identity. To minimise any potential delays, it is recommended to provide as much information and documentation as possible. If your identity cannot be verified with the provided documentation, you may be required to go through an alternative identity verification process, which includes collecting information such as your name, current address, and other personal information.
Some acceptable forms of ID, according to the TSA website, include a passport, 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, and a Canadian provincial driver's license.
It is worth noting that a temporary driver's license is not considered an acceptable form of identification. While some people have reported being able to fly with an expired ID, it is always best to check with the relevant authorities and allow extra time at the airport in case additional verification is required.
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If your identity cannot be verified, you may need to go through an alternative identity verification process
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. Passengers should 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 identity cannot be verified, you will not be allowed to enter the screening checkpoint. You may be required to go through an alternative identity verification process, which includes collecting information such as your name, current address, and other personal information, and asking personal questions to help confirm your identity.
If you are unable to present an acceptable form of ID, TSA officers will ask you for two secondary forms of identification. To minimize any potential delays, you are encouraged to provide as much information and documentation as possible.
TSA PreCheck Touchless ID uses facial recognition technology for faster, more efficient identity verification. This technology is voluntary, and you can inform a TSA officer if you do not wish to participate. Alternatively, digital IDs such as mobile driver's licenses are accepted at more than 250 airports through platforms like Apple Wallet, Google Wallet, and Samsung Wallet, or a state-issued app.
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A temporary driver's license is not an acceptable form of ID
As per TSA guidelines, a temporary driver's license is not considered an acceptable form of identification. This is because a temporary driver's license is not a REAL ID-compliant form of identification. 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. 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.
If you are unable to present a REAL ID-compliant form of identification, such as a state-issued Enhanced Driver's License (EDL) or Enhanced ID (EID), a U.S. passport, or a U.S. passport card, you may still be able to fly by enrolling for a state-issued REAL ID through your state DMV office. Alternatively, you may be asked to provide two secondary forms of identification, such as a government-issued photo ID or a credit card in your name. It is important to note that the TSA officer will review all documentation provided to verify your identity, and you may still be required to go through an alternative identity verification process if your identity cannot be confirmed.
It is always recommended to arrive at the airport early and allow extra time for boarding if you are traveling with an expired or temporary form of identification. This is because you may experience potential delays due to the additional identity verification processes.
While a temporary driver's license may not be acceptable at TSA checkpoints, it is worth noting that certain states may have different requirements for identification. For example, some states may issue temporary licenses that are only valid for operating a vehicle and are not intended as a legal form of identification. Therefore, it is important to carefully read the fine print on your temporary license and, if in doubt, contact your state's Department of Motor Vehicles or equivalent agency to confirm the usage limitations of a temporary driver's license.
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Frequently asked questions
It depends. TSA currently accepts expired IDs up to one or two years after expiration. However, it is recommended to use a valid ID to avoid any potential delays. If your ID is no longer accepted, you will be notified of their non-compliance and may be directed to a separate area for additional screening.
According to the TSA, acceptable forms of ID include a passport, passport card, DHS trusted traveler cards, U.S. Department of Defense ID, permanent resident card, and more.
If you do not have an acceptable form of ID, a TSA officer will ask you for two secondary forms of identification. The TSA officer will review all documentation provided to verify your identity. If your identity cannot be verified, you may be required to go through an alternative identity verification process.
