TSA Just Announced When Travelers Will Need a Real ID to Fly — and It's Serious This Time

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has confirmed an official deadline for the Real ID requirement, which will soon be mandatory for travelers to navigate airport security within the U.S.

Effective May 7, 2025, travelers will need to present a state-issued driver’s license or identification card with Real ID accreditation to pass through airport security within the U.S. Those without a Real ID or an approved alternative will be denied entry through TSA checkpoints.

Real ID-compliant identification is being issued by all 50 U.S. states, as well as Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands.

Although Real ID cards may vary slightly in appearance from state to state, they generally feature a star or a star cutout in the upper left or right corner. IDs labeled with phrases such as "federal limits apply" or "not for federal identification" are not Real ID-compliant.

The Real ID Act, passed by Congress nearly two decades ago, faced a prolonged implementation timeline at the state level due to differing regulations. As such, the requirement for Real ID-compliant identification at domestic airport security checkpoints has been delayed multiple times since 2020, initially because of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequently for other reasons.

Although the deadline will take effect in a few months, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has implemented a phased transition, with full enforcement scheduled to start on May 5, 2027.

“Identity verification is foundational to security,” said TSA’s administrator, David Pekokse, in a statement. “I urge those who use a driver’s license or state-issued identity card as their primary form of identification to access federal facilities or board commercial passenger aircraft, to ensure these credentials are REAL ID-compliant. We are committed to engaging with the public, licensing jurisdictions, and states to facilitate a smooth transition to REAL ID enforcement beginning May 7, 2025, which this rule supports.”

Travelers can still use other forms of identification for air travel, such as a U.S. passport, a U.S. passport card, a DHS trusted traveler card (Global Entry, Nexus, Sentri, or Fast), a permanent resident card, an acceptable photo ID issued by a federally recognized Tribal Nation or Indian tribe, an HSPD-12 PIV card, or a passport issued by a foreign government.

Credit: Stella Shon / Travel & Leisure