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Originally, the law mandated the switch to REAL IDs by 2008, but that date has been pushed back year after year. Now the deadline is only a few weeks away.
WASHINGTON — The long-delayed deadline for REAL ID is now just two months away. But if you don’t have your new driver’s license yet, don’t fret. There’s still a chance that full enforcement may get gradually rolled out.
On May 7, 2025, state-level ID cards, such as driver’s licenses, won’t be accepted for federal purposes, such as getting through airport security, unless they are REAL ID-compliant.
The federally-mandated switch was originally signed into law by Congress in 2005, establishing “minimum security standards for license issuance and production,” according to the DHS website.
The law, established four years after the 9/11 terrorist attacks in response to federal calls for higher security standards in the U.S., has been looming for nearly two decades.
The latest twist came in September when the Transportation Security Administration proposed a two-year transition period starting in May. It suggested agencies would begin “enforcement in phases” for anybody trying to use their ID for federal purposes, including for getting through airport security.
Originally, the law mandated the switch to REAL IDs by 2008, but that date has been pushed back year after year because of the logistical hurdles that naturally come with changing how hundreds of millions of people fly every year, as well as the disruption from the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to the TSA’s proposal, “as of January 2024, only approximately 56 percent of DL/IDs in circulation nationally are REAL ID-compliant.”
With the deadline now less than three months away, officials aren’t confident they’ll get a significant number of new REAL IDs issued in time, even with the expected rush in the last months before May 7.
“DHS anticipates that a significant number of individuals seeking to use their DL/ID for a REAL ID official purposes on and after May 7, 2025, may not have a compliant DL/ID,” the TSA proposal from September noted.
Technically, the proposed rule, if approved by the Department of Homeland Security, would still require all airplane passengers to use a REAL ID after the 2025 deadline. But it would permit agencies to establish a “phased enforcement approach.” What exactly that would look like is unclear.
There were more than 31,000 comments submitted about the proposal, online records show.
When is the REAL ID deadline?
The deadline is May 7, 2025. On that day, the TSA at airports and security at federal buildings across the country will stop accepting non-REAL ID documents as proof of identity.
How can I tell if I already have a REAL ID?
If you’ve received a new driver’s license or state identification card within the past few years, chances are you already have a REAL ID.
Pull your driver’s license or identification card out. If it has a small gold or black star in one of the corners (or in California, a bear symbol), congratulations! You already have a REAL ID, and don’t need to do anything else. You’ll be able to use that ID as proof of identity when flying or entering federal buildings.
If you have an Enhanced Driver’s License from Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont or Washington, those also are REAL ID-compliant. So even though most of those enhanced licenses don’t have the star marking, it’s still acceptable.
If you’re not sure whether your current identification card is REAL ID-compliant, reach out to your state or local Department of Motor Vehicles.
How can I get a REAL ID?
Simply bring a few key pieces of documentation to any DMV and ask for a new drivers license with REAL ID. Here’s what you’ll need:
- One document that establishes identity, date of birth, and proof of U.S. citizenship, lawful permanent residence, or other lawful U.S. status. A birth certificate will suffice for most people.
- Your Social Security number (card not required) or evidence of SSN ineligibility.
- Two documents to establish proof of residence in the state you’re getting the ID for, such as a utility bill, paycheck stub, or mortgage payment
Will my passport work instead of a Real ID card?
Yes! Anything you would do with a REAL ID, you’ll be able to do with another federal identification document such as your passport.
For a full list of federally compliant documents, you can read the DHS’s Real ID page here.
You’ll still need your passport to travel internationally, including trips to Canada or Mexico and international cruises.
