You would need to verify your identity if your ID wasn't a Real ID.
The Real ID deadline hit: what flying was like after May 7, 2025?
Source: Tim Dennert/Unsplash
The final countdown has indeed commenced for a significant alteration poised to impact every air traveler across America.
In less than 2 days, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will mandate a Real ID for passage through airport security checkpoints or for entry into federal buildings. This signifies that travelers intending to use a driver's license or state identification card for boarding domestic flights will need to ensure that their identification has been successfully updated to meet the new identification requirement.
Should a traveler arrive at the airport without a Real ID-compliant identification card, they might be prevented from flying unless they possess a United States passport, or other officially approved identification cards, such as a Global Entry Card or a Military ID.
When applying for a Real ID driver's license, applicants are typically requested to furnish additional identification documentation, which may include a birth certificate, a valid United States passport, or other proof of citizenship eligibility. These upgraded Real ID licenses also incorporate enhanced security features, making them considerably more challenging to counterfeit. "These IDs help keep our country safe, because they prevent fraud and they enhance security," Kristi Noem, the United States Secretary of Homeland Security, articulated in a social media video.
With the impending deadline, numerous state license bureaus are currently operating at peak capacity, often unable to accommodate additional appointments for obtaining a Real ID driver's license. For individuals requiring a last-minute appointment, it might be beneficial for travelers in other communities to broaden their search beyond their immediate neighborhood or metropolitan area, seeking an appointment in a nearby community. (For example, those located in the NYC area could consider driving to the Albany District Office in Albany, New York, where appointments are available as early as May 20, and throughout June 2025.)
"We are proactively urging passengers who don't possess either a state-issued REAL ID or another acceptable form of ID to allow themselves ample time for supplementary screening at TSA checkpoints," a TSA spokesperson said in a statement. "Those over 18 years old without a REAL ID-compliant credential may face delays and, in very rare instances, when a passenger's identity cannot be verified, they may be denied entry into the secure area of the airport."
Source: Agus Dietrich/Unsplash
In anticipation of this then-forthcoming change, this small guide had also compiled answers to frequently asked questions regarding the Real ID process:
Did you require a Real ID to fly domestically within the United States?
Yes, if a traveler intended to clear a TSA security checkpoint on or after May 7, 2025, their identification card had to indeed possess the upgraded Real ID status.
What if you had a flight scheduled and you didn't possess a Real ID?
The traveler could instead use a United States passport, a United States passport card, a Global Entry card, or a foreign-issued passport, even for domestic flights. (There were a total of 18 categories of federally issued identification that were recognized as Real ID-compliant. Travelers were advised to consult the comprehensive list of accepted IDs on the TSA website for full details.) For travelers who didn't have any Real ID-compliant forms of identification, the TSA also indicated that officers might provide alternative on-site identity verification; however, it wasn't guaranteed that this option would be accessible to all passengers.
"The TSA officer might ask you to complete an identity verification process, which included collecting information, such as your name and current address to confirm your identity," the TSA explained on its website. "If your identity was confirmed, you would be allowed to enter the screening checkpoint, where you might be subject to additional screening."
The TSA clarified that passengers wouldn't be granted entry to the checkpoint without identification or if the identity wasn't confirmed through that process. If they didn't possess a passport, were unable to obtain a Real ID driver's license, or couldn't complete any on-site identity verification with the TSA, they would need to cancel their flight until they acquired the appropriate identification.
How to determine if your identification was a Real ID?
Each state employed a distinct marking on its Real ID driver's license or identification card, so it was advisable to check with the issuing organization to ascertain the correct symbol. Most Real ID licenses featured one of the following symbols in the upper right corner: a black star, a gold star, a star cutout within a gold circle, a star cutout within a black circle, or a star cutout within a gold bear. If a traveler possessed a valid United States passport, they could utilize that instead of a Real ID driver's license, even for flights within the country.
Streamline your airport prep with our booking platform – ParkingNearAirports.io!
Once your ID is sorted, optimize airport logistics with ParkingNearAirports.io! Understand the difference between short stay and long stay airport parking for your trip duration. Easily book long-term parking through our platform and unlock exclusive parking discounts – ensuring secure, affordable off-site parking so your journey begins smoothly.
