What is a Real ID?
A Real ID is a driver’s license or identification card that meets certain minimum security standards established by the Real ID Act in 2005 on the basis of a recommendation made by the 9/11 Commission following the attacks on September 11, 2001. The new standards are intended to ensure that identification cards are more secure.
When do I need a Real ID by?
Starting May 3, 2023 (the deadline has already been extended twice), all U.S. travelers 18 and older (kids traveling domestically with an adult don’t need to provide identification) will be required to present a driver’s license that is considered Real ID compliant when passing through airport security.
If you don’t have a compliant ID by that date, you will have to show another acceptable form of identification to fly within the United States, such as a valid passport and driver’s license, permanent resident card, or Department of Homeland Security trusted traveler program cards, such as Global Entry or Nexus.
How do I know if I have a Real ID?
According to TSA, compliant cards are typically marked with a star (either gold or black) in the upper portion of the card. Compliant California IDs are marked with a star inside of an image of a bear. The agency recommends that people who aren’t sure whether they have a compliant ID contact their state driver’s license agency about how to obtain a compliant card.
As states have begun issuing Real ID–compliant licenses and have marked compliant IDs with a gold or black star of some kind, they have also identified noncompliant IDs with a tag that states something like “federal limits apply” or “not for federal ID,” indicating that it is not a Real ID. (Note that those indications have only been introduced as each state made Real IDs available. Prior to that, there was no indication one way or another.)
All 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and four of five U.S. territories are now issuing Real ID-compliant licenses and identification cards (American Samoa is the only territory not yet issuing them).
Can I fly without a Real ID?
On May 3, 2023, if you are unable to provide a Real ID–compliant license or other acceptable form of ID, such as a valid passport or U.S. military ID, you will not be allowed to fly. Your wings will literally be clipped.
If you travel internationally and already have a passport, this won’t be such a big issue because your passport can serve as a stand-in until you obtain a Real ID–compliant driver’s license. But if you plan on flying domestically after May 3, 2023, and your passport will have expired or you currently don’t have a passport, getting a Real ID is something you will need to do.
