Owais Crawford
As of May 7, 2025, all state and territory residents in the US will be required to present a REAL ID-compliant license or another acceptable form of identification, such as a passport, to board domestic flights and enter certain federal facilities. This means that a state-issued driver's license or ID that is not REAL ID-compliant will no longer be accepted as a valid form of identification at airport security checkpoints. REAL ID-compliant cards can be identified by a star marking on the upper top portion of the card. Enhanced Driver's Licenses (EDLs) issued by certain states are also considered acceptable alternatives to REAL ID-compliant cards. It is important to note that REAL ID requirements do not apply to individuals under 18 years of age who are traveling within the US.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of implementation | 7 May 2025 |
| Age requirement | 18 and older |
| Type of ID | REAL ID-compliant license/ID or other acceptable forms of identification |
| Acceptable forms of ID | U.S. passport, passport card, state-issued Enhanced Driver's License (EDL), DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST) |
| Additional info | REAL ID-compliant cards will have a star marking on the upper top portion of the card |
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What You'll Learn
- REAL ID-compliant state-issued driver's licenses are accepted by TSA
- TSA accepts expired IDs up to two years after the expiration date
- Children under 18 don't need ID when travelling within the US
- REAL ID cards are not valid for international travel or sea cruises
- REAL ID-compliant cards have a star marking on the upper top portion of the card
REAL ID-compliant state-issued driver's licenses are accepted by TSA
As of May 7, 2025, a REAL ID-compliant state-issued driver's license will be mandatory for all domestic air travel in the US. This is because, after this date, a state-issued driver's license or ID that is not REAL ID-compliant will no longer be accepted as a valid form of identification at airports. This rule applies to all adult passengers (18+) travelling within the United States, as TSA does not require children under 18 to provide identification when travelling within the country.
REAL ID-compliant state-issued driver's licenses are accepted by the TSA as a valid form of identification at airport security checkpoints. This is because the TSA falls under the jurisdiction of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which accepts REAL ID-compliant licenses and IDs from all states, the District of Columbia, and the five US territories.
If a state-issued driver's license has the REAL ID-compliant star marking, it meets the REAL ID security standards and will be accepted by the TSA. If a license does not have this marking, it may still be accepted if it is from a state with a valid extension. However, federal agencies have the authority to set their own minimum security access requirements and may decide to stop accepting non-compliant IDs before the May 7, 2025, deadline. For example, the US Department of Defense (DoD) has stopped accepting non-compliant marked cards across its facilities.
It is important to note that a temporary driver's license is not an acceptable form of identification for air travel. If a traveller does not have a REAL ID-compliant license or another acceptable form of ID, such as a passport, they can expect delays, additional screening, and the possibility of not being allowed through the security checkpoint. This includes TSA PreCheck passengers. To avoid such issues, travellers are strongly encouraged to check the list of acceptable IDs before arriving at the airport.
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TSA accepts expired IDs up to two years after the expiration date
As of May 7, 2025, a state-issued driver's license or ID that is not REAL ID-compliant will no longer be accepted as a valid form of identification at airports. Passengers without a REAL ID-compliant license or ID will need to present another acceptable form of ID, such as a passport, or they may be subject to additional screening and delays.
That being said, the TSA does currently accept expired IDs for up to two years after the expiration date. This policy is in place to allow passengers with recently expired IDs to continue travelling while they wait for their new ID to arrive. It is important to note that this policy only applies to REAL IDs and not to temporary driver's licenses or other forms of identification. Additionally, this policy may vary across airports and is subject to change without notice.
It is always recommended to check the list of acceptable IDs before travelling to ensure you have the correct documentation. This can be done by visiting the TSA website or by checking with your state department of motor vehicles. It is also important to keep in mind that, even if your expired ID is within the two-year acceptance window, TSA officers may still ask you to complete an identity verification process to confirm your identity.
While the TSA's current policy accepts expired IDs for up to two years, there is some discrepancy in sources, with some stating that only one year of expiration is accepted. Additionally, there may be variations between different airports, with some accepting two years of expiration and others only accepting one. Therefore, it is always best to travel with a valid, unexpired form of identification to ensure a smooth screening process.
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Children under 18 don't need ID when travelling within the US
Children under the age of 18 do not need to provide identification when travelling within the United States. This is because the TSA (Transportation Security Administration) does not require children under 18 to show ID when travelling within the country. However, it is worth noting that the TSA recommends contacting the airline in question regarding specific ID requirements for travellers under 18, as requirements may vary between airlines.
For children under the age of two, different rules apply. Children under two years old can fly for free as a lap child on domestic flights, as long as they are travelling with an adult. While a child under two does not need ID when passing through security, the airline may require proof of age at check-in, as they will need to pay for a seat otherwise. This proof of age can be provided in the form of a passport or a copy of their birth certificate.
For children over the age of two, there are some circumstances in which a photo ID or official document may be needed for minors to board. This may be the case if the minor is unaccompanied by an adult. However, as long as they are accompanied by an adult, children under 18 will not need a photo ID to board a domestic flight.
It is important to note that these rules only apply for domestic travel within the United States. For international travel, all travellers, regardless of age, will need to present a passport at check-in, the TSA security checkpoint, and when arriving at the destination. Additionally, starting on May 7, 2025, a state-issued driver's license or ID that is not REAL ID-compliant will no longer be accepted as a valid form of identification at airports for domestic travel. Passengers will need to present an acceptable alternative form of ID, such as a passport, or enrol for a state-issued REAL ID.
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REAL ID cards are not valid for international travel or sea cruises
From May 7, 2025, every state and territory resident will need to present a REAL ID-compliant license or another acceptable form of identification for domestic travel. This includes boarding commercial aircraft, accessing federal facilities, and entering nuclear power plants. The REAL ID Act allows states to issue temporary REAL ID-compliant licenses and ID cards to applicants with approved deferred action status. These temporary IDs are valid until their expiration.
There are currently only five states that issue Enhanced Driver's Licenses and identification cards (EDL/EID): Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont, and Washington. These are acceptable alternatives to REAL ID-compliant cards and can be used for boarding commercial aircraft, accessing federal facilities, and entering nuclear power plants. EDL/EIDs can be identified by an image of the U.S. flag and the word "Enhanced" at the top of the card.
REAL ID cards are not valid for international sea cruise travel. If you are travelling on an international sea cruise, you will need a passport. For domestic cruises, you will only need one valid form of identification, either a REAL ID or another acceptable form of ID, such as a passport.
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REAL ID-compliant cards have a star marking on the upper top portion of the card
Starting May 7, 2025, a REAL ID or another acceptable form of identification will be required to board domestic flights and visit federal facilities. REAL ID-compliant cards are marked by a star, typically gold, on the upper right portion of the card. This is a security feature to detect false cards and differentiate them from non-compliant cards. If your card does not have this star marking, it is not REAL ID-compliant and won't be accepted as proof of identity to board commercial aircraft.
The REAL ID-compliant star marking indicates that the card was issued by a REAL ID-compliant state and meets the REAL ID security standards. All states, the District of Columbia, and the five territories are REAL ID-compliant and issuing these cards. However, states may impose additional requirements, so it is recommended to check with your state's driver's licensing agency for specific documentation requirements.
Enhanced Driver's Licenses (EDLs) and Enhanced Identification Cards (EIDs) are also acceptable forms of identification for boarding aircraft and can be identified by the image of the U.S. flag and the word "Enhanced" at the top of the card. Only five states currently issue EDLs/EIDs: Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont, and Washington. These are considered acceptable alternatives to REAL ID-compliant cards and will be accepted for official REAL ID purposes.
It is important to note that REAL ID cards cannot be used for international travel, including border crossings into Canada or Mexico and international sea cruise travel. For international travel, a passport or other acceptable forms of identification are still required. Additionally, the REAL ID Act does not require identification where it is not already required to access a federal facility, such as public areas of the Smithsonian.
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Frequently asked questions
A REAL ID is a state-issued driver's license or ID that complies with the REAL ID security standards. It is required for certain activities, such as boarding domestic flights and entering certain federal facilities. The ID must have a star marking on it to be considered REAL ID-compliant.
Starting May 7, 2025, a REAL ID or another acceptable form of identification will be required to board commercial aircraft and access TSA airport security checkpoints.
Alternative forms of identification include a U.S. passport, passport card, or state-issued Enhanced Driver's License (EDL).
Yes, the TSA does not require children under 18 to provide identification when traveling within the United States, as long as they are accompanied by an adult.
The REAL ID requirement only applies to federal facilities, so it does not apply to public areas within airports. Additionally, other forms of identification, such as a U.S. passport, may still be accepted even without the REAL ID.
