Expired License: What You Need To Know For Airport Travel

does the airport accept expired license

If you're worried about getting through airport security with an expired driver's license, you're not alone. While it's generally advised that travellers carry a valid, unexpired form of identification, there are certain circumstances under which the TSA will accept expired driver's licenses or state-issued IDs.

Characteristics Values
Will the TSA accept an expired driver's license? Yes, but only under certain conditions.
What are the conditions? The driver's license must have expired after 1 March 2020 and not have been expired for longer than one year.
Will the TSA accept a temporary license? No, not as a standalone document.
What if I don't have a valid ID? The TSA may still allow you to fly, but it is always advised to carry a valid, unexpired form of identification.

shunhotel

TSA will accept expired driver's licenses under certain conditions

As of summer 2023, the TSA will accept expired driver's licenses under certain conditions. First, the driver's license must have expired after 1 March 2020. Second, the ID must not have been expired for longer than one year. This is due to the fact that many states have been unable to renew licenses or issue new ones due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The TSA will not accept a Temporary License/ID as a standalone document. However, it will accept an expiring or expired card with the Temporary License/ID as proof of identity.

It's important to note that generally, travellers are always advised to carry a valid, unexpired form of identification.

shunhotel

TSA will not accept a temporary license/ID as a standalone document

As of the summer of 2023, the TSA will accept expired driver's licenses, but only under certain conditions. The driver's license must have expired after 1 March 2020 and must not have been expired for longer than one year. The TSA will also accept expired passports not more than 12 months past the identified expiration date.

However, the TSA will not accept a temporary license/ID as a standalone document. It will accept an expiring or expired card with the temporary license/ID as proof of identity or proof of renewal. This is because the TSA requires a REAL ID-compliant license or acceptable alternative. Beginning 7 May 2025, every state and territory resident will need to present a REAL ID-compliant license/ID, or another acceptable form of identification, for boarding commercial aircraft. The card must be REAL ID-compliant unless the resident is using an alternative acceptable document such as a passport or passport card, or state-issued enhanced driver's license.

shunhotel

TSA will accept expired passports not more than 12 months past the expiration date

As of the summer of 2023, the TSA will accept expired driver's licenses and state-issued IDs, but only under certain conditions. First, the driver's license must have expired after 1 March 2020. Second, the ID must not have been expired for longer than a year. The TSA will also accept expired passports as valid ID up to a year after they've expired, but this might only help for domestic flights. This is because the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol requires a valid passport to re-enter the U.S.

shunhotel

TSA accepted expired IDs before the pandemic

The TSA will accept expired driver’s licenses or state-issued ID a year after expiration. However, the ID must have expired after 1 March 2020, and the DHS has extended the REAL ID enforcement deadline to 3 May 2023. This means that adult passengers 18 and older must show valid identification at the airport. The TSA will not accept a Temporary License/ID as a standalone document. It will accept the expiring or expired card with the Temporary License/ID as proof of identity.

There is some evidence that TSA accepted expired IDs before the pandemic, and this could be a continued policy. TSA even mentions that you could also bring expired passports not more than 12 months past the identified expiration date.

shunhotel

TSA will accept an expired driver's license or state-issued ID a year after expiration or 60 days after the duration of the emergency, whichever is longer

As of the summer of 2023, TSA will accept expired driver's licenses or state-issued IDs, but only under certain conditions. Firstly, the driver's license must have expired after 1 March 2020. Secondly, the ID could not have been expired for longer than one year or 60 days after the duration of the emergency, whichever is longer. This is due to the fact that many states have been unable to renew licenses or issue new ones due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

If your driver's license expired before 1 March 2020, you will not be able to use it as identification at the TSA checkpoint. The TSA will not accept a temporary license/ID as a standalone document. It will accept the expiring or expired card with the temporary license/ID as proof of identity.

Generally, travellers are always advised to carry a valid, unexpired form of identification.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, as of summer 2023, the TSA will accept expired driver's licenses, but only under certain conditions. First, the license must have expired after March 1, 2020. Second, the ID could not have been expired for longer than one year.

Unfortunately, the TSA will not accept your expired driver's license if it expired before March 1, 2020. You will need to present another form of valid identification to pass through airport security.

The TSA will accept other forms of valid, unexpired identification, such as a passport or state-issued ID.

The TSA may accept an expired passport as long as it is not more than 12 months past the expiration date. However, it is always best to carry a valid, unexpired form of identification when travelling.

The TSA will not accept a temporary license or ID as a standalone document. However, they will accept an expiring or expired card along with a temporary license or ID as proof of identity.

Written by
Reviewed by
Share this post
Print
Did this article help you?

Leave a comment