Temporary Licenses: Valid For Air Travel?

The use of temporary licenses as a valid form of identification at airports has been a topic of debate, with conflicting information from official sources and varying experiences among travellers. While some travellers have reported successful boarding with a temporary license and additional screening, others have encountered challenges. Official sources, such as the TSA website, state that interim driver's licenses or temporary paper documents are not considered acceptable forms of identification for air travel. However, individuals without valid identification may still be allowed to fly by completing an identity verification process with a TSA officer, which includes providing personal information for confirmation. This process is time-consuming, and travellers are advised to arrive at the airport well in advance.

TSA's stance on temporary licenses

The TSA's stance on temporary licenses is clear: they are not considered an acceptable form of identification for air travel. This includes temporary paper documents issued by the DMV, which are not valid ID for travel.

However, if a traveller does not have a valid ID, the TSA has other ways of confirming their identity using publicly available databases. In such cases, the traveller must complete an identity verification process with a TSA officer, providing information such as their name, current address, and other personal details. This process can be time-consuming, and travellers may be subject to additional screening. It is recommended that travellers without acceptable identification arrive at the airport at least three hours before their flight time.

It is important to note that TSA does not require children under 18 to provide identification when travelling within the United States. Additionally, TSA currently accepts expired IDs for up to a year after expiration for domestic travel.

Alternative forms of ID

Temporary licenses are not considered valid forms of identification at airports. However, there are several alternative forms of ID that can be used to verify your identity. Here are some examples:

• Credit Cards: If your bank/issuer enables you to include your photo on your card, this can serve as a valid form of identification. Alternatively, a TSA agent may be willing to call the card's 1-800 number and allow you to answer security questions to prove your identity.
• Smartphone Photos of IDs: Taking photos of all your forms of ID and storing them on your smartphone can be helpful in case of theft or loss. While it is not ideal to store these types of photos on your phone indefinitely, new security technologies can help keep your data safer.
• Police Report for Stolen Wallet and/or Passport: If your wallet and/or passport is stolen, be sure to file a police report and carry the paperwork with you. This may be your only option for getting through security if all other forms of ID are gone.
• Work Security Badge: Your workplace most likely conducted a thorough background check before issuing you a work security badge with your photo. This may be sufficient for airport security, especially when presented with another form of ID.
• Business Card with a Photo: Flashing a business card with your photo, along with another form of ID, may be enough for verification and help you get to your gate.
• Student ID: Similar to a driver's license, a student ID typically includes a photo, birth date, and address.
• Library Card: Although library cards rarely feature a photo, you must present a government-issued ID and/or utility bill to obtain one. This mini background check may be sufficient for the TSA, especially when combined with other forms of ID.
• Checkbook: A checkbook includes your name, address, and bank's phone number, so it could be useful as a piece of evidence of your identity.
• Magazine/Utility Bill with Your Name and Current Address: While this may not be sufficient on its own, producing a utility bill or a magazine with your name and address, along with other types of identification, can help prove your identity.
• Marriage License: Presenting your marriage license can be a creative solution to get through security, especially when returning from your honeymoon or destination wedding.
• Diploma: Although it may seem unusual to carry a diploma to the airport, some travellers have successfully used it as a form of identification.

International travel without ID

While it is possible to travel on a domestic flight within the US without a valid ID, international travel without ID is a different story. Different countries have different rules about the identification they'll accept for commercial flights. So, if you're not catching a domestic flight within the US, it is highly recommended that you do not try to travel without a passport.

If you lose your passport while abroad, you should go to the nearest US embassy as soon as possible to get a replacement. This is the only way to guarantee you'll be allowed to return home.

First, notify the local US embassy and get a police report if possible. Each embassy works on its own timeline, but to make things go more efficiently, it will help to have a photocopy of your lost passport, confirmation of your flight, a police report, and two passport photo IDs (two by two inches, with your face centred and not shadowed, with a white background). They should work with you so that you don't miss your flight home, but some embassies are better than others, so get the process started as soon as possible.

If you have a driver's license, it may be possible to get past airport security with this, but you won't get through customs or a border crossing without your passport (or a passport card for Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean).

If you are in the process of applying for a new driver's license, you may be able to use your temporary paper license, along with other forms of identification, such as a student ID, work ID, credit cards, or social security card. However, this is not guaranteed, and you may be denied boarding.

Temporary licenses and additional screening

In the United States, it is possible to fly with a temporary ID, but this depends on the specific circumstances and the type of temporary ID you have. If your government-issued ID has been lost or stolen, you can obtain a temporary ID from your state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or another state agency. However, temporary IDs may have limitations, such as shorter expiration dates or reduced functionality compared to a regular driver's license or ID card.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) accepts some types of temporary IDs for air travel, but not all. A temporary driver's license or ID card may be accepted, but other types of temporary IDs, such as a temporary paper ID, are usually not accepted. It is recommended to check with the TSA in advance to confirm whether your temporary ID will be accepted.

Even if your temporary ID is accepted by the TSA, you may need to provide additional documentation to confirm your identity and be allowed to board your flight. This could include a passport, birth certificate, social security card, or other forms of identification. It is advised to check with your airline in advance to find out what documentation you will need to bring.

Keep in mind that obtaining a temporary ID and getting through security with one can take longer than usual. It is recommended to arrive at the airport early to allow extra time for security screening and identity verification. The TSA recommends individuals without acceptable identification arrive at least three hours before their flight time.

If you do not have acceptable identification, you may still be allowed to fly if your identity can be verified by other means. A TSA officer may ask for 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.

Obtaining a temporary license

Obtaining a temporary driving license is a relatively straightforward process. In the case of a lost or expired license, you can apply for a temporary driving license at any driving license testing centre (DLTC). The license is typically valid for six months.

To obtain a temporary license, you will need to provide the following documents:

• A certified copy of your identity document (ID) or temporary ID.
• Proof of postal and residential address, such as a utility bill. If the bill is not in your name, an affidavit from the bill owner is required, along with their utility bill.
• If you reside in an informal settlement, a letter with an official date stamp from the ward councillor confirming your address is necessary.
• Four identical black-and-white photographs. It is advisable to confirm the required number of photos with the DLTC before getting them taken.

In addition to the above, you will need to complete specific forms, such as the Application for a Driving Licence (DL1) form and the notification of change of address or particulars of the person or organization (NCP) form. These forms are available at any DLTC or on their website.

Furthermore, an eye test is required, which can be conducted at the testing centre or by a qualified optometrist, and the relevant form can then be submitted at the testing centre.

The cost of obtaining a temporary license may vary, so it is recommended to contact your local licensing office for accurate information. It is worth noting that the process is usually completed on the same day.

Frequently asked questions