Travelers can fly without REAL ID for now, but with extra steps
Share and Follow

() Travelers who are not REAL ID-compliant by the May 7 deadline will still be able to fly, but they should expect extra steps at the airport, according to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

Noem spoke at a Congressional hearing Tuesday, in which she said 81% of travelers in the United States already have identification that complies with REAL ID requirements. Security checkpoints at airports will also accept passports and tribal identification when the deadline takes effect May 7.

Noem said anyone who still does not have a REAL ID or another acceptable form of identification will be taken to a different line, where an extra step will be taken to confirm their identity.

“People will be able to fly,” Noem said. “We will make sure it’s as seamless as possible.”

What other forms of ID can you use to fly domestically?

If you don’t have a REAL ID or an enhanced driver’s license in some states, you will need one of the following:

  • Passport
  • Passport card
  • DHS trusted traveler cards, like Global Entry
  • Department of Defense ID
  • Permanent resident card
  • Border crossing card
  • Acceptable photo ID issued by a federally recognized Tribal Nation/Indian Tribe
  • HSPD-12 PIV card
  • Foreign government-issued passport
  • Canadian provincial driver’s license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card
  • Transportation worker identification credential
  • Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766)
  • Merchant Mariner Credential
  • Veteran Health Identification Card

TSA does not require children to provide IDs when traveling with someone else. However, their companion must have one of these forms of ID.

How do I get a REAL ID?

If you still need a REAL ID, you can get one after the deadline. You will just need to go to your state’s driver’s licensing agency website to see what documents you need. Normally, you need documentation that shows your:

  • Legal name
  • Birth date
  • Social Security number
  • Proof of address
  • Lawful status
A sample copy of a Washington driver’s license is shown at the Washington state Department of Licensing office in Lacey, Wash., on June 22, 2018. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)

Some states might require additional documentation, which is why you should double-check before going to your local DMV office.

The REAL ID is part of the REAL ID Act, which was passed by Congress in 2005 after recommendations from the 9/11 Commission. It is meant to create minimum security standards for driver’s licenses and ID cards.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Virginia vs. Missouri prediction: Odds, picks, best bet for Gator Bowl

Virginia vs. Missouri Gator Bowl Showdown: Expert Predictions, Betting Odds, and Top Picks Revealed

Gambling content 21+. The New York Post may receive an affiliate commission…
FBI agents detail Kash Patel's 'diva' behavior over screen time

FBI Agents Reveal Kash Patel’s Demands for Screen Time: Inside the Diva Drama

FBI agents have recently unveiled concerns regarding Director Kash Patel, alleging that…
Marty Supreme: The table tennis titan with a wild life

Marty Supreme: The Table Tennis Prodigy with an Extraordinary Journey

With a lean build, a distinctive mustache, and sharp eyes behind his…
Update on girl, 13, who was shot in the face by her stepdad

Latest Developments on the 13-Year-Old Girl Injured in Shooting Incident Involving Her Stepfather

A teenage girl is fighting for her life after being shot in…
Dear Abby: I'm walking on eggshells around my alcoholic husband—I've had enough

Finding Strength: Navigating Life with an Alcoholic Spouse – A Woman’s Plea for Change

DEAR ABBY: After 15 years of marriage, my retired husband, “Seth,” is…
Aryna Sabalenka vs Nick Kyrgios - Battle of the Sexes LIVE

Epic Showdown: Aryna Sabalenka Faces Nick Kyrgios in Thrilling Battle of the Sexes Live Event

Pause for a dance break – and a signed tennis ball? (Sabalenka…
Texas father rescues kidnapped daughter by tracing her phone's location, sheriff's office says

Texas Dad Tracks Down Kidnapped Daughter Using Her Phone’s Location, Authorities Report

In a dramatic rescue in Texas, a father managed to locate and…
Sam Bankman-Fried's ex-girlfriend set to be released from prison EARLY

Sam Bankman-Fried’s Former Partner to Receive Early Prison Release

Caroline Ellison, once romantically linked to disgraced cryptocurrency figure Sam Bankman-Fried, is…