Less than 1 month until Real ID requirement for airport security goes into place

4 days ago 7

Real ID is coming — and it's time to get serious about keeping your identification current.

This much-delayed rollout of new security standards for driver's licenses and state identification cards will go into effect May 7. Travelers' identification cards will have to meet Real ID standards in order to be used for federal purposes, including passing through airport security checkpoints.

There have been long lines at DMV offices across the country as the deadline approaches, and people struggle to find last-minute appointments. While the new requirements will be in place soon, there will still be wiggle room for ID verification until full enforcement takes effect in 2027.

Looming May 7 deadline for Real ID

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said its latest deadline — May 7 — for officially implementing the Real ID requirement for domestic air travel is locked in. However, according to a statement published in the Federal Register, the government is allowing for some flexibility.

"Under this rule, agencies may implement the card-based enforcement provisions through a phased enforcement plan if they determine it is appropriate upon consideration of relevant factors including security, operational feasibility, and public impact," the statement says.

Upon reading the fine print signed by former TSA Administrator David Pekoske when the rule was first unveiled, it's clear that local authorities will have up to two years to fully implement the new requirements. That means some states may be able to give people a little more time to obtain the correct documentation for entry to government offices and to pass through security at airports.

"[T]his proposal would give federal agencies the flexibility to enforce Real ID," a TSA spokesperson said about the rule. The spokesperson added that it would "prevent travelers (in particular) from being turned away."

Another loophole exists: The new rule will also allow states to get a waiver from the TSA to use mobile driver's licenses.

"At TSA, digital technology is an integral part of our identity verification framework and improves security efficiency while enhancing the passenger experience," Pekoske said in a statement. "This rule demonstrates our commitment to enhancing the passenger experience through secure and privacy-enhancing identity verification, facilitating innovation and honoring the intent of the REAL ID Act. We will continue to develop innovative, secure digital identity solutions with our state and industry partners."

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The TSA has published a map detailing where mobile driver's licenses are currently approved for federal acceptance.

Although phased implementation would still allow travelers to enter secure areas under certain conditions during the rollout, and mobile licenses provide more options for ID, the deadline for the overall requirements to kick into effect is holding firm. "To avoid airport checkpoint delays, all travelers over the age of 18 must have Real ID compliant identification by the May 7, 2025, deadline," the TSA spokesperson reinforced in a statement to TPG.

Are you Real ID-compliant?

The good news is that you may already be compliant. You can tell if your driver's license or ID is Real ID-compliant by looking for the star in the upper right or left corner, as shown in the image below.

If you don't see a star on your ID or it says something like "Not for federal identification" or "Not for federal purposes" in fine print, then it is not Real ID-approved.

You can use this tool to figure out if you are compliant. It will ask you a series of questions to determine if you are OK to travel with your ID. Remember that a U.S. passport qualifies as a Real ID in all cases.

If you need to get a new state-issued Real ID-approved license or identification card, it may be as simple as renewing your current ID — just be sure to make it clear that you want the Real ID-approved version(s). Some states still issue standard licenses or IDs that don't include Real ID provisions.

Note, too, that even if you have Clear or TSA PreCheck, you still need an ID that matches the new Real ID requirements. In the case of Clear, you can upload your passport in the Clear app to use the Clear lanes if you don't have a Real ID-approved driver's license or other state ID.

Clear Real ID notification. CLEAR

Beyond a U.S. passport or passport card, some other alternatives to a state-issued, Real ID-compliant driver's license or identification card include:

DHS Trusted Traveler card (Global Entry, Nexus, SENTRI and FAST)
Permanent resident card
U.S. Department of Defense ID
Border-crossing card
State-issued enhanced driver's license
Federally recognized, tribal-issued photo ID
HSPD-12 personal identity verification card
Foreign government-issued passport
Canadian provincial driver's license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card
Transportation worker identification credential
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services employment authorization card (I-766)
U.S. merchant mariner credential

Bottom line

The federal government is sticking to a May 7 deadline for instituting new ID requirements for security at airports and other government facilities after years of delays. However, the new rules will have some wiggle room to give local authorities more time to fully comply with them.

You should check to see if your state-issued ID is Real ID-compliant now. If it's not, it's time to make a plan to fix it, as it sounds like the government is finally getting serious about implementing a law that passed decades ago in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

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Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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