Owais Crawford
As of May 7, 2025, only REAL ID-compliant driver's licenses are accepted as valid forms of identification at airports in the US. This means that state-issued driver's licenses that are not REAL ID-compliant are no longer accepted. Passengers must either travel with an acceptable alternative form of ID, such as a passport, or enroll for a state-issued REAL ID through their state DMV offices. Enhanced Driver's Licenses (EDLs) issued by Washington, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, and Vermont are also considered acceptable alternatives to REAL ID-compliant cards. It is important to note that TSA currently accepts expired IDs up to two years after expiration, and children under 18 are not required to provide identification when traveling within the United States.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Age Limit | 18 and above |
| Valid Forms of Identification | REAL ID-compliant driver's license, passport, DHS trusted traveler cards, Department of Defense ID, Enhanced Tribal Cards, state-issued Enhanced Driver's License, state-issued ID |
| Non-Compliant IDs | Standard licenses, temporary driver's license |
| Expiry | TSA accepts expired IDs up to two years after expiration |
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What You'll Learn
REAL ID-compliant driver's licenses are accepted at airports
REAL ID-compliant cards are marked with a star at the top of the card. If your driver's license has a star in the upper right-hand corner, it is REAL ID-compliant. State-issued enhanced driver's licenses are also acceptable and are marked with a flag. Enhanced Driver's Licenses (EDLs) issued by Washington, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, and Vermont are considered acceptable alternatives to REAL ID-compliant cards and will also be accepted for official REAL ID purposes.
If you are traveling domestically, you only need one valid form of identification, either your REAL ID or another acceptable alternative such as a passport, but not both. REAL ID-compliant driver's licenses or other state photo identity cards must be issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles (or equivalent). A temporary driver's license is not an acceptable form of identification. TSA currently accepts expired IDs up to two years after expiration. If 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.
Children under 18 are not required to provide a form of identification for TSA screening when traveling within the United States. Airlines do not require a form of ID for boarding and only need a boarding pass. However, unaccompanied minors who are eligible for TSA PreCheck must show an acceptable ID to receive expedited screening.
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State-issued Enhanced Driver's Licenses are accepted
As of May 7, 2025, state-issued driver's licenses and IDs that are not REAL ID-compliant will no longer be accepted as valid forms of identification at airports. This means that if your driver's license or state-issued ID expired on or after March 1, 2020, and you were unable to renew it, you may still use it as acceptable identification at the airport checkpoint. However, it is important to note that temporary driver's licenses are not accepted as valid forms of identification.
State-issued Enhanced Driver's Licenses (EDLs) are accepted as valid forms of identification at airport security checkpoints. EDLs are issued by Washington, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, and Vermont and are considered acceptable alternatives to REAL ID-compliant cards. They are designated as acceptable border-crossing documents by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. This means that EDLs can be used for boarding commercial aircraft, accessing federal facilities, and entering nuclear power plants. Most EDLs do not contain the REAL ID-compliant star marking, but this is acceptable.
It is important to note that each state may have additional requirements, so it is recommended to check with your state's driver's licensing agency website for specific information. The process of obtaining a REAL ID-compliant license or state-issued EDL may vary, and certain documentation may be required. This typically includes proof of identity, such as a birth certificate, passport, or permanent resident card for non-US citizens.
For domestic travel within the United States, passengers over the age of 18 will need either a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or another acceptable alternative form of ID, such as a passport. Children under 18 are not required to provide a form of identification when traveling within the country, but unaccompanied minors eligible for TSA PreCheck must show acceptable ID. Airlines may have specific requirements for children, so it is recommended to contact them directly for more information.
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Passports are an alternative to a driver's license
As of May 7, 2025, state-issued driver’s licenses and IDs that are not REAL ID-compliant are no longer accepted as valid forms of identification at airports in the United States. REAL ID-compliant licenses are marked with a star in the upper right corner.
If you do not have a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license, you will need to present another acceptable form of identification, such as a passport, to fly. This means that a passport can be used as an alternative to a driver's license. Passports are also used as a form of identification when applying for a REAL ID-compliant driver's license.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) requires adult passengers to show valid identification at the airport checkpoint in order to travel. Children under 18 are not required to provide a form of identification when travelling within the United States. However, unaccompanied minors who are eligible for TSA PreCheck must show an acceptable ID to receive expedited screening.
Passengers who present a state-issued identification that is not REAL ID-compliant at TSA checkpoints and who do not have another acceptable alternative form of ID will be notified of their non-compliance. They may be directed to a separate area and may receive additional screening. The TSA officer may ask for information such as the passenger's name and current address to confirm their identity. If their identity is confirmed, they will be allowed to enter the screening checkpoint, where they may be subject to additional screening.
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TSA accepts expired IDs up to two years after expiration
As of May 7, 2025, only REAL ID-compliant driver's licenses or state-issued IDs will be accepted at airports. This means that state-issued IDs that are not REAL ID-compliant will no longer be accepted as valid forms of identification. Passengers should either travel with an acceptable alternative form of ID, like a passport, or enroll for a REAL ID-compliant license through their state DMV offices.
The TSA currently accepts expired IDs up to two years after their expiration date. This means that if your ID expired within the last two years, you can still use it as a valid form of identification at the airport. However, it's important to note that this policy is subject to change without notice. The TSA strongly encourages travelers to check the list of acceptable IDs before traveling to ensure they have the proper documentation.
REAL ID-compliant licenses have a star in the upper right corner, indicating that they meet the security standards established by the REAL ID Act. If you are unsure whether your ID complies with REAL ID, you can check with your state's driver's licensing agency or department of motor vehicles. The process for obtaining a REAL ID and the required documents may vary depending on your state.
In addition to REAL ID-compliant driver's licenses, there are other acceptable forms of identification that can be used at airport security checkpoints. These include state-issued Enhanced Driver's Licenses (EDL) or Enhanced ID (EID), U.S. passports, DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST), and U.S. Department of Defense IDs, including those issued to dependents.
It's worth noting that TSA requirements differ for children under 18 traveling within the United States. While they are not required to provide identification, unaccompanied minors who are eligible for TSA PreCheck must show an acceptable ID to receive expedited screening. Contact your airline for specific ID requirements for travelers under 18.
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Children under 18 don't need ID when travelling within the US
When it comes to airport security and identification requirements, it's important to be well-informed to avoid any travel disruptions. As of May 7, 2025, there has been an important change in ID requirements for air travel in the US. State-issued driver's licenses and IDs that are not REAL ID-compliant are no longer accepted as valid forms of identification at airports. This change aligns with the REAL ID Act, passed by Congress in 2005, which sets minimum security standards for identification documents.
Now, let's focus on the topic at hand: children under 18 travelling within the US. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has clearly stated that children under 18 are not required to provide identification when travelling within the United States. This means that a child under 18 does not need a photo ID to board a domestic flight as long as they are accompanied by an adult. However, it is worth noting that some airlines may have specific requirements for children, so it is always a good idea to contact your airline beforehand to inquire about any additional documentation they may need.
While children under 18 may not need ID when travelling within the US, there are certain circumstances where a photo ID or official document may be needed for minors to board. For instance, children aged 15 to 17 who are travelling alone are strongly advised to carry some form of identification, preferably with their photo on it. Additionally, unaccompanied minors who are eligible for TSA PreCheck must show acceptable ID to receive expedited screening.
It's also important to be aware that ID requirements can vary by airline and age group. For example, infants as young as two days old can fly, but the requirements may differ for children under two who fly as "lap children" on domestic flights. While a child's ID may not be required at airport security checkpoints, the airline may ask for proof of age, such as a birth certificate, to confirm they are under two years old. This is because children in this age group fly for free on an adult's lap, and the airline will want to charge for a separate seat if the child is older.
In summary, while children under 18 generally don't need ID when travelling within the US, it's always a good idea to be prepared and stay informed about the latest TSA guidelines and airline-specific requirements. Checking this information before your travel dates can help ensure a smooth and stress-free journey.
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Frequently asked questions
The REAL ID Act, passed by Congress in 2005, sets higher security standards for state-issued driver's licenses and identification cards. REAL ID-compliant licenses will have a star in the upper right corner.
Yes, as of May 7, 2025, all travelers over the age of 18 will need a REAL ID-compliant license or another acceptable form of identification, such as a passport, to fly within the United States.
The process of getting a REAL ID varies by state. In most cases, you will need to provide proof of identity, such as a birth certificate or passport, and proof of a Social Security number.
No, a temporary driver's license is not an acceptable form of identification at the airport.
