Airports And Temporary Driver's Licenses: What's The Verdict?

Do Airports Allow Temporary Driver's Licenses?

Airports have strict identification requirements that travellers must meet to pass through security and board their flights. In the United States, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) outlines the types of identification that are accepted, and temporary driver's licenses are not included on this list. This means that travellers cannot use a temporary driver's license as their sole form of identification when passing through airport security. However, there are other options available for individuals who find themselves in this situation.

Temporary driver's licenses are not accepted by TSA

Temporary driver's licenses are not accepted by the TSA. This includes interim driver's licenses, which are temporary paper documents. However, if you arrive at the airport without a valid ID, you may still be allowed to fly. A TSA officer may ask you to complete an identity verification process, which includes providing information such as your name, current address, and other personal details. This information will then be checked against certain databases to confirm your identity.

It is important to note that starting May 7, 2025, the TSA will no longer offer alternate verification methods. All travelers 18 years of age or older will be required to present a valid REAL ID-compliant ID to get through airport security for domestic flights. A REAL ID-compliant driver's license can be obtained at DMVs in all 50 states and US territories. It requires additional paperwork, such as a birth certificate, passport, social security card, and proof of residence.

If you are in the process of renewing your driver's license and only have a temporary one, it is recommended to use a different form of identification that is accepted by the TSA. These include a US passport, passport card, Global Entry card, NEXUS card, SENTRI card, FAST card, permanent resident card, foreign government-issued passport, and more.

To avoid any issues at the airport, it is always best to arrive early and ensure that you have a valid form of identification.

TSA offers identity verification for those without ID

According to the official website of the United States government, adult passengers (18 and older) must show valid identification at the airport checkpoint to be allowed to travel. A temporary driver's license is not considered a valid form of identification. However, if you arrive at the airport without acceptable identification, you may still be allowed to fly.

TSA officers may ask you to complete an identity verification process, which includes providing information such as your name, current address, and other personal details to confirm your identity. If your identity is confirmed, you will be allowed to enter the screening checkpoint, but you may be subject to additional screening.

It is important to note that if you decline to cooperate with the identity verification process or if your identity cannot be confirmed, you will not be permitted to enter the security checkpoint. To allow sufficient time for this process, the TSA recommends that individuals without acceptable identification arrive at least three hours before their flight time.

Additionally, TSA has been rolling out new digital ID technology at select airports, where mobile driver's licenses and ID passes saved on smartphones in apps like Apple Wallet, Google Wallet, Samsung Wallet, or state-issued apps are accepted. However, even with a digital driver's license, individuals must still carry a physical ID as a backup.

Other forms of ID are required for domestic flights

As of May 7, 2025, the TSA will require a Real ID to travel, meaning your driver's license must be Real ID-compliant for you to board domestic flights. A Real ID is an identification card that complies with the Real ID Act of 2005. The Real ID Act was intended to enhance national security by requiring stricter standards for driver's licenses and other identification documents.

If you are unable to present a Real ID-compliant driver's license, you can present a passport or other Real ID-compliant form of identification. A U.S. passport is always acceptable, whether you are travelling abroad or within the U.S. and its territories. Other Real ID-compliant forms of identification include:

• DHS trusted traveller cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
• U.S. Department of Defense ID, including IDs issued to dependents
• Permanent resident card
• Border crossing card
• An acceptable photo ID issued by a federally recognised Tribal Nation/Indian Tribe, including Enhanced Tribal Cards (ETCs)
• Transportation worker identification credential
• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorisation Card (I-766)
• U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential
• Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)

If you arrive at the airport without acceptable identification, you may still be allowed to fly. The TSA officer may ask you to complete an identity verification process, which includes collecting information such as your name, current address, and other personal information to confirm your identity. If your identity is confirmed, you will be allowed to enter the screening checkpoint, where you may be subject to additional screening.

REAL ID-compliant licenses will be the only type accepted by TSA from May 7, 2025

As of May 7, 2025, only REAL ID-compliant licenses will be accepted by the TSA at airport security checkpoints. This is in accordance with the REAL ID Act, passed by Congress in 2005, which enacted the 9/11 Commission's recommendation that the Federal Government set standards for the issuance of sources of identification, such as driver's licenses. The Act established minimum security standards for state-issued driver's licenses and identification cards and prohibits certain federal agencies from accepting non-compliant IDs for official purposes. These purposes include:

• Boarding federally regulated commercial aircraft
• Accessing certain federal facilities
• Entering nuclear power plants

From May 7, 2025, every state and territory resident will need to present a REAL ID-compliant license/ID, or another acceptable form of identification, to engage in the above activities. This means that your regular old driver's license might not be accepted by the TSA for domestic flights unless you've obtained the correct REAL ID enhanced version. A REAL ID-compliant license will have one of the following markings: a gold or black star; a white star with a gold or black circle around it; or a gold bear with a white star on top.

If you are unsure whether your ID is REAL ID-compliant, you can check with your state department of motor vehicles. It is important to note that temporary driver's licenses are not considered acceptable forms of identification by the TSA. If you arrive at the airport without acceptable identification, you may still be allowed to fly if the TSA officer can verify your identity through other means, such as collecting personal information. However, this is not a guaranteed method, and it is always best to carry a valid and compliant physical identification when heading to the airport.

Arriving early is recommended for those without ID

If you are travelling without a valid ID, it is recommended that you arrive at the airport at least three hours before your flight. This is because, without a valid ID, you will need to go through an identity verification process. This involves providing personal information such as your name and address, which a TSA officer will then check against certain databases. This process can be time-consuming, so arriving early is essential to ensure you don't miss your flight.

The TSA has stated that it will no longer be providing alternative verification methods from May 7, 2025, onwards. After this date, only a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or another acceptable form of ID will be sufficient to get through airport security. So, if you're travelling after this date, it's even more important to ensure you have a valid ID with you.

If you don't have a valid ID and the TSA officer is unable to verify your identity, you will not be allowed to enter the security checkpoint and board your flight. So, to avoid any issues, it's always best to arrive at the airport early and be prepared to go through the identity verification process if necessary.

In addition to arriving early, there are a few other things you can do to help speed up the identity verification process. Having multiple forms of ID will strengthen your case, even if they are not valid for travel. For example, you could bring a credit card, a business card with your photo on it, mail or prescription medication with your name and address, a voter registration card, or even a library card. A police report about your missing ID can also be helpful, as it provides proof of your story and helps prevent identity theft.

Overall, if you don't have a valid ID, arriving at the airport early is crucial. This will give you enough time to go through the identity verification process and ensure you don't miss your flight.

Frequently asked questions