REAL ID Enforcement and Operations
REAL ID Enforcement and Operations
(Courtesy of TSA Legislative Affairs)
Q: Will there be an extension to REAL ID enforcement, which is set to begin May 7, 2025?
A: Full enforcement of REAL ID begins on May 7, 2025. Congress passed the REAL ID Act twenty years ago, in 2005, and this Administration intends to fully implement the law in order to ensure American citizens can travel safely and securely. Therefore, every air traveler 18 years of age and older must have a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license, state-issued enhanced driver’s license, or another acceptable form of ID to fly within the United States.
Q: What will happen to people who do not have REAL IDs on May 7th?
A: Passengers without a REAL ID-compliant state-issued ID or another acceptable form of ID, such as a passport, will be notified of their non-compliance and may be directed to a separate screening area designed for those without a REAL ID. These procedures can take additional time, and may vary based on local technology, staffing, and operational capabilities. If TSA cannot verify the identity of an individual, they will be directed back to the airline ticketing counter. This includes TSA PreCheck ® passengers.
Q: Should passengers anticipate long wait times?
A: TSA will enforce REAL ID in a manner that minimizes the impact to overall operations and especially for those passengers who are prepared with their REAL ID-compliant state-issued ID, passport, or other acceptable form of ID. Currently over 80% of passengers are using a REAL ID or other acceptable form of identification. This change will impact a small number of passengers. Further, additional TSA staff will be deployed across America’s airports to engage and assist travelers in need of assistance throughout this transition.
Q: Will TSA deny entry to the sterile area if they do not have an acceptable form of ID?
A: No. Passengers without a REAL ID-compliant state-issued ID or another acceptable form of ID, such as a passport, will be notified of their non-compliance and may be directed to a separate screening area designed for those without a REAL ID. These procedures can take additional time, and may vary based on local technology, staffing, and operational capabilities.
Acceptable Forms of ID (AFOID)
Q: What IDs does TSA accept for identity verification?
A: See link on TSA.gov: Acceptable Identification at the TSA Checkpoint | Transportation Security Administration.
- REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses and other state photo identity cards issued by Department of Motor Vehicles (or equivalent) • State-issued Enhanced Driver's License (EDL) or Enhanced ID (EID)
- U.S. passport
- 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
- 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 (TWIC)
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766)
- U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential
Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)
*TSA currently accepts an expired acceptable form of ID up to two years after expiration date.
Q: Will minors need to have IDs to fly domestically?
A: No. TSA does not require children under 18 to provide identification when traveling within the United States.
Q: Are there exceptions for individuals traveling with a noncompliant state-issued ID prior to May 7th with a return flight on or after May 7th?
A: No. If a traveler is unable to get a REAL ID-compliant state-issued ID prior to their return travel on May 7, 2025, they should bring another acceptable form of ID, such as a passport, for their return trip.
Q: Can lawful immigrants obtain a REAL ID?
A: Yes, lawful immigrants can get a REAL ID if they meet the eligibility requirements. Aliens who are lawfully admitted for permanent or temporary residence, have conditional permanent resident status, have an approved application for asylum, or have entered the US as refugees are eligible for a REAL ID.
Driver’s Licenses or Other State-Issued IDs
Q: Are temporary paper IDs issued by a state upon applying for a REAL ID permitted as an acceptable form of ID in the event an individual’s old ID is taken at the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles?
A: No. TSA will only accept the temporary paper identification (ID) if they also have the old driver’s license or state-issued ID.
Military/Veterans IDs
Q: Are DoD IDs with an “INDEFINITE” expiration an acceptable form of ID?
A: Yes. DoD-issued IDs, including Next Generation (NextGen) USIDs are an acceptable form of ID and can be used at TSA checkpoints.
Q: Are Veteran Health Identification Cards (VHIC) an acceptable form of ID?
A: Yes. TSA accepts the Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC) as an acceptable form of ID for identity verification at the checkpoint. The VHIC is the only form of VA-issued ID that is accepted for identity verification at the checkpoint.
Q: Is a Veteran ID (VIC) card an acceptable form of ID?
A: No. The Veterans ID Card (VIC) is a photo ID which veterans can use to get discounts at restaurants, stores, and other businesses. TSA does not accept a VIC for identity verification at the security checkpoint.
Passports
Q: Is a passport an acceptable ID form of ID?
A: Yes. A passport is considered an acceptable form of ID. TSA will also accept passport up to two years after its expiration date.
Protecting Passengers Privacy
Q: How will you protect people’s privacy and ensure REAL ID does not turn into a national identification system?
A: The REAL ID Act of 2005, as passed by Congress, seeks to prevent another 9/11-type terrorist attack where bad guys used fraudulent IDs to board planes. REAL ID simply requires national standards are met by individual states. The application, issuance, and maintenance procedures are determined at the state-level.
Tribal IDs
Q: Are Tribal IDs an acceptable form of ID?
A: Yes. TSA considers a photo ID issued by a Tribal Nation/Indian Tribe that is federally recognized and listed in the Federal Register to be an acceptable form of identification. This includes Enhanced Tribal Cards.