After two decades of continuous delays and pauses, federal Real ID requirements for domestic flights are finally set to begin in exactly one month: May 7, 2025. But whether travelers without a compliant license will actually be turned away at airports next month remains to be seen.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is gearing up to finally enforce the long-awaited ID law, which was passed in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Placards warning travelers to get a Real ID have become commonplace in airports from coast to coast, leading to a run on DMV offices across the country as travelers scramble to get a compliant ID, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Rather than getting a brand-new driver's license, travelers can also use several Real ID alternatives at airports, including a passport or passport card, Global Entry identification card, or so-called “enhanced driver's licenses” available from select states.
Fearing outrage from mass travel disruptions, current and former presidential administrations have repeatedly punted Real ID over the last decade. This time might be different.
While enforcement of the stricter ID requirements is set to begin next month, a federal rule adopted earlier this year pushes “full enforcement” of Real ID out to May 7, 2027. So, rather than turning away any and all travelers without a federally approved ID, the TSA can use a “phased enforcement approach” for the next two years.
What does that look like? The TSA isn't saying yet. The agency is required to publish its plan online, though that doesn't appear to be available yet.
In a recent statement, the agency noted that “travelers who do not have a REAL ID-compliant state-issued credential or another acceptable form of ID can expect delays when they arrive at the TSA security checkpoint. The length of the delay will be determined by the number of other travelers who do not have a REAL ID-compliant credential.”
A TSA spokesperson did not directly address a question about how the agency would enforce Real ID starting next month nor the status of its phased enforcement plan.
“On May 7, 2025, every air traveler 18 years of age and older is expected to have a REAL ID-compliant ID (state-issued driver’s license, state-issued identification card), or another acceptable form of ID, such as a U.S. passport,” the agency spokesperson said. “TSA is committed to engaging with the public, licensing jurisdictions, and states to facilitate a smooth transition to REAL ID enforcement beginning May 7, 2025.”
This not-so-new ID law was passed way back in 2005 in the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks to combat terrorism and identity fraud. Real IDs come with some additional hoops to jump through when applying for or renewing a driver's license – they're marked with a gold star showing they're federally approved.
But it's become a laughingstock of a law after delays, delays, and more delays – first due to states' refusal to comply with the federal government, then due to the pandemic and alarm that not enough Americans had opted in to avoid massive disruptions. Some early Real ID adopters have renewed their licenses once (if not twice) before the law will actually take effect.
Barring another eleventh-hour extension from the Trump administration, Real ID is finally set to kick in 30 days from now …. kind of.