Paper License: Airport Travel Woes Or Wonder?

It is important to carry valid identification when travelling by air. While the specific requirements vary by country and airline, having a valid driver's license is often considered sufficient identification for air travel. However, in some cases, individuals may encounter situations where they need to travel with a paper license, such as a temporary or expired license. This raises the question: do airports accept paper licenses as valid identification?

TSA accepts paper licenses in some cases, but other forms of ID are recommended

As of 2023, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) accepts some types of temporary paper licenses for air travel within the United States, but not all. A temporary driver's license or ID card with your photo, issue date, expiry date, address, and DL number may be accepted. However, other types of temporary IDs, such as a paper document without a photo, may not be accepted. It is recommended to check with the TSA in advance to confirm whether your specific type of temporary ID will be accepted.

Even if your temporary paper license 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 a good idea to bring multiple forms of identification with you to the airport, such as a student ID, work ID, or credit card, as well as arriving early to allow extra time for the security screening process.

Beginning May 7, 2025, if you plan to use your state-issued ID or license to fly within the U.S., it must be REAL ID-compliant. You can check with your state department of motor vehicles to see if your ID complies with REAL ID requirements. The TSA currently accepts expired IDs for up to a year after expiration.

In the event that you arrive at the airport without any acceptable identification, you may still be allowed to fly. A TSA officer may ask you to complete an identity verification process, which includes providing personal information such as your name, current address, and other details to confirm your identity.

Paper licenses are not accepted by all car rental companies

While paper licenses are accepted by the TSA, this is not the case for all car rental companies. For example, Enterprise Rent-A-Car refuses to accept temporary paper licenses, even when multiple forms of identification are provided. This is because paper licenses are not considered a valid form of identification in some states, and some car rental companies will not accept them as proof of identity.

In the United States, car rental companies like Enterprise require customers to present a valid, unexpired government-issued driver's license, which includes a photograph of the customer. Digital licenses are not accepted. The driver's license must be valid for the entire rental period, and additional government-issued identification may be required. Temporary licenses may be refused if the renting location is unable to verify the authenticity of the license or the customer's identity.

International renters must also present a valid, unexpired driver's license from their home country that includes a photograph. If the license is not in English, an International Driver's Permit may be recommended or required for translation purposes. However, an International Driver's Permit is not considered a valid form of identification or a license and must be accompanied by a home country driver's license.

In some states, such as Florida, certain out-of-state licenses are not recognized and are therefore not accepted by car rental companies. For example, Mexican residents renting a car in Florida must provide a secondary form of identification, such as a valid government-issued passport or a valid travel visa.

Paper licenses are not accepted by all airlines

It is important to note that paper licenses are not always accepted by airlines and it depends on a variety of factors. Firstly, the TSA accepts some types of temporary IDs for air travel within the United States, but not all. A temporary driver's license or ID card with a photo, issue date, expiration date, address, and DL number may be accepted by the TSA, but it is not guaranteed. Other government agencies or rental companies may not accept temporary paper IDs, even if they are accompanied by other forms of identification.

Additionally, the type of temporary ID you possess matters. Some temporary IDs, such as those without tamper-resistant features or issued by certain states, may not be accepted by all airlines. It is crucial to check with the specific airline you are flying with to determine their requirements. Even if your temporary ID is accepted by the TSA, you may need to provide additional documentation, such as a passport, birth certificate, or social security card, to confirm your identity and be allowed to board your flight.

Furthermore, the circumstances surrounding your need for a temporary ID can impact its acceptance. For example, if your permanent ID has been lost or stolen, you may be able to obtain a temporary ID from your state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or another state agency. However, these temporary IDs may have limitations, such as shorter validity periods or reduced functionality, which can affect their acceptance by airlines.

To ensure a smooth travel experience, it is recommended to arrive at the airport early, as verifying your identity with a temporary ID can take extra time. It is also advisable to check with the TSA and your airline in advance to confirm the acceptability of your temporary ID and to understand their specific requirements for identification. By being proactive and well-prepared, you can minimize potential delays or disruptions to your travel plans.

Paper licenses may be accepted by TSA if accompanied by other forms of identification

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) accepts some types of temporary IDs for air travel within the United States, but not all. Paper licenses may be accepted by the TSA if accompanied by other forms of identification. This is because a paper license may not be sufficient to confirm your identity.

A temporary driver's license or ID card may be accepted, but other types of temporary IDs, such as a temporary paper ID, may not be. 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 recommended to check with the TSA in advance to confirm whether your temporary ID will be accepted and to allow extra time at the airport for security screening.

In the event that you arrive at the airport without valid 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. This process can take a while, so it is recommended to arrive at the airport early.

Some other forms of identification that may be helpful during the identification verification process include a credit card, a business card with your photo on it, mail or prescription medication with your name and address on the label, voter registration, or even a library card. Filing a police report about your missing ID can also be helpful to confirm your identity.

Paper licenses are not accepted by TSA after May 7, 2025

As of May 7, 2025, paper licenses will not be accepted by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) as a valid form of identification for boarding commercial aircraft. This change is a result of the REAL ID Act, passed by Congress in 2005, which aims to enhance security standards for identification in response to the security vulnerabilities highlighted during the 9/11 attacks.

From this date onwards, only state-issued driver's licenses and identification cards that meet the security requirements established by the REAL ID Act will be permitted for official purposes, including air travel. This means that individuals planning to use their state-issued ID or license to fly within the US must ensure that their documentation is REAL ID-compliant. To determine whether a driver's license or identification card is REAL ID-compliant, individuals can look for specific indicators, such as the presence of a bear and star in the top right corner for California residents.

It is important to note that this change does not apply to individuals under the age of 18, who are not required to provide identification when traveling within the United States. Additionally, in certain circumstances, individuals without acceptable identification may still be permitted to fly but may be subject to additional identity verification processes.

To avoid delays at airport security checkpoints, the TSA strongly recommends that travelers over the age of 18 review the forms of photo identification they possess that are accepted by the TSA. In addition to a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or state-issued identification card, other acceptable forms of identification include a valid U.S. passport, U.S. passport card, Department of Homeland Security Trusted Traveler card (including Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, or FAST), active and retired military ID (including IDs issued to dependents), and the Transportation Worker Identification Credential.

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