NEW YORK — The long-awaited implementation of the REAL ID requirement is drawing near, closing in on nearly two decades of delays. Despite initial warnings that domestic travel would not be possible without a REAL ID or another form of TSA-approved identification post-May 7, the Secretary of Homeland Security announced on Tuesday that while travelers lacking a REAL ID may encounter extra procedures, they will still be permitted to fly.
For those who are still unsure about obtaining a REAL ID, or unsure of its necessity, here’s what you need to know:
A REAL ID is a federally compliant identification card issued by states, designed to be a more secure form of identification, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Unlike a regular driver’s license, obtaining a REAL ID involves providing additional personal documentation. Besides facilitating domestic air travel, a REAL ID is required for entry into certain federal buildings and facilities.
The REAL ID Act, signed into law in 2005, originates from a recommendation by the 9/11 Commission for the government to establish uniform security standards for state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards. “REAL ID is a coordinated federal effort to enhance the reliability and accuracy of these IDs,” explained John Essig, TSA’s Security Director for New York City area airports, in an April 3 press release. The initiative aims to thwart potential terrorist attempts to use fake identification.
Originally slated to roll out in 2008, the REAL ID Act has seen numerous postponements due to state-level implementation challenges and the COVID-19 pandemic. Nina Ruggiero from Travel + Leisure attributes the surrounding confusion to inconsistent state processes and shifting deadlines, which may have caused travelers to downplay the imminent deadlines.
If you’ve renewed your license in recent years, it might already be REAL ID-compliant. “Travelers often express uncertainty about whether they possess a REAL ID,” Ruggiero noted. A symbol, often a star in the top corner of your license, will indicate compliance. Residents of states like Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont, or Washington might have an “enhanced” ID instead, which allows for domestic flights and entry into Canada and Mexico via land or sea, though not for flights into those countries. Enhanced IDs will have an American flag icon and the word “enhanced” on them.
For those lacking a REAL ID, state-specific procedures must be followed, typically detailed on the state’s driver’s licensing agency website. The requirements include necessary documentation and possibly scheduling a DMV appointment.
Regarding the fast-approaching May 7 deadline, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem assured that even those without a REAL ID will be able to fly but might be subject to additional steps, such as being redirected to a different line. Alternatives like passports and tribal identifications will still be accepted on this date.
Despite frequent extensions, there is a possibility of further delay due to a request from Kentucky senators experiencing deadline challenges, although TSA spokesperson Dan Velez stated there are no current plans to postpone the REAL ID deadline again. As of late April, 81% of travelers at TSA checkpoints were presenting acceptable forms of identification, including state-issued REAL IDs, as reported by the DHS.