New REAL ID Requirement for Domestic Flights in the U.S. Takes Effect in 2025

Starting on May 7, 2025, all travelers will need a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or another acceptable form of identification to board domestic flights in the United States. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the new deadline, extending it from the previous date of May 3, 2023, to give states more time to ensure their residents have driver's licenses and identification cards that meet the security standards established by the REAL ID Act.

The REAL ID Act, passed by Congress in 2005 following a recommendation from the 9/11 Commission, establishes minimum security standards for state-issued driver's licenses and identification cards. It prohibits federal agencies, like the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), from accepting licenses and identification cards from states that do not meet these standards for certain purposes, including boarding federally regulated commercial aircraft.

Why this matters: The REAL ID requirement will have a significant impact on air travel in the United States, affecting millions of passengers who rely on their state-issued driver's licenses as their primary form of identification . The extension of the deadline provides additional time for states to become compliant and for travelers to obtain REAL ID-compliant documents.

To obtain a REAL ID-compliant license, individuals will need to visit their state's driver's licensing agency in person and provide specific documentation, such as proof of identity, proof of Social Security number, and proof of address . Some states have already begun issuing REAL ID-compliant licenses and identification cards, while others have been granted extensions to become compliant.

In addition to REAL ID-compliant state driver's licenses and identification cards, travelers will still be able to use other forms of acceptable identification, such as a valid passport, a permanent resident card, or a Department of Homeland Security trusted traveler program card like Global Entry or NEXUS.

Key Takeaways

• REAL ID-compliant licenses required for domestic flights by May 7, 2025
• REAL ID establishes minimum security standards for state-issued IDs
• Extension from May 2023 to May 2025 to allow states more time to comply
• Individuals need to provide specific documentation to obtain REAL ID-compliant IDs
• Passports, permanent resident cards, and trusted traveler program cards also accepted