Real ID is Required Starting Today! Don't Get Grounded from your Flight.

 

Uh Oh! REAL ID is HERE! Don't Get Grounded Today! 😱

Hey there, fellow travelers! Remember all that talk about the REAL ID deadline? Well, guess what? Today is the day, May 7th, 2025! That means if you're heading to the airport for a domestic flight and your state-issued driver's license or identification card doesn't have that little star in the corner, you might be in for a surprise at the TSA checkpoint.

That's right, the grace period is over. As of today, federal agencies, including the Transportation Security Administration, will no longer accept non-REAL ID compliant driver's licenses and state-issued identification cards for domestic air travel [1].

So, before you even think about heading to the airport, take a good look at your ID. See that star? If it's not there, you'll need an alternative form of acceptable identification to get through security and catch your flight.

Don't have a REAL ID and panicking a little? Don't worry, there are still options! Your trusty U.S. passport is the most common and widely accepted alternative.

But what if your passport is at home or expired? Here's a quick reminder of other TSA-approved IDs you can use starting today, courtesy of the USA TODAY Network [1]:

• State-issued Enhanced Driver's License (EDL) or Enhanced ID (EID) (If you happen to live in Washington, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, or Vermont and have one of these.)
• U.S. passport card
• DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
• U.S. Department of Defense ID, including IDs issued to dependents  
• Permanent resident card (Green card)
• Border crossing card  
• An acceptable photo ID issued by a federally recognized Tribal Nation/Indian Tribe, including Enhanced Tribal Cards (ETCs).
• HSPD-12 PIV 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
• Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)

If you don't have one of these acceptable alternatives, unfortunately, you will not be allowed to pass through TSA security for domestic flights starting today.   

For those of you who haven't gotten a REAL ID yet, you'll need to visit your state's motor vehicle agency and provide documentation proving your identity, Social Security number, and two proofs of residency [1]. Keep in mind that processing times can vary, so it's something you'll want to take care of before your next flight.

The bottom line for your travels starting today: Double-check your ID! Make sure it's a REAL ID with the star or one of the other TSA-approved documents on the list. Don't let an outdated or non-compliant ID ruin your "Come Monday" getaway! Safe travels! ☀️

Source:

[1] Wiseman, K. (2024, May 7). Don't have a REAL ID before your next flight? You need to have one of these alternatives. USA TODAY.