For literally my entire adult life, the US government has been saying that the REAL ID requirement for travel would be implemented imminently. However, it kept getting pushed back. Well, today is a big day, as the REAL ID requirement is finally being implemented, though with some flexibility.
In this post:
REAL ID enforcement starts today, May 7, 2025
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is starting with REAL ID enforcement as of today, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. With this policy being implemented, federal agencies, including the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), are prohibited from accepting driver’s licenses and identification cards that do not meet these federal standards…
…well, sort of. While the requirement is being implemented as of today, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem states that those without a REAL ID will still be able to fly, it’ll just require an extra step at security. As she explains, “people will be allowed to fly,” and “we will make sure it’s as seamless as possible,” but those without REAL ID “may be diverted to a different line, have an extra step.”
REAL ID is intended to establish minimum security standards, including incorporating anti-counterfeiting technology, preventing insider fraud, and using documentary evidence and record checks to ensure a person is who they claim to be.
All 50 US states, the District of Columbia, and five US territories covered by the REAL ID Act, are issuing REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses and identification cards. However, the TSA claims that currently REAL ID compliance at security checkpoints is 81%, meaning that’s the percentage of people showing up with a REAL ID or their passport.
I’m a little confused by the suggestion that 19% of travelers haven’t been complying with REAL ID requirements. Does that 19% include people with foreign passports? Passports are considered acceptable forms of ID under the new REAL ID rules, and I can’t imagine there are 19% of travelers using US-issued IDs that aren’t REAL ID compliant.
If you’re not sure if your ID is a REAL ID, you can identify a REAL ID by the star on the top right corner. You can obtain a REAL ID by going to the DMV, and you’ll need to bring a valid ID, passport, or birthday certificate, proof of your social security number, proof of your date of birth, and two items that show residence.
Why was the REAL ID deadline extended so often?
For context, the REAL ID Act was passed by Congress in 2005, following a 9/11 Commission recommendation. The REAL ID requirements were initially supposed to be implemented as of 2008. The initial delays were because many state governments refused to enact these requirements. States started consistently becoming compliant in 2012, and enforcement began in 2014 for certain federal facilities.
However, we then saw several more delays, and ultimately the pandemic delayed implementation several additional years, due to the backlog that created for state driver’s licensing agencies. Most recently, the deadline was extended by two years, from May 2023 to May 2025.
It’s kind of unbelievable to think how often this has now been delayed. As I mentioned at the beginning of this post, this requirement was supposed to be implemented when I was 18 years old, and I’m now nearly twice that age. If nothing else, think of how much money has been spent on airport signage related to upcoming REAL ID deadlines.
Bottom line
The REAL ID deadline has been implemented as of May 7, 2025, two decades after the REAL ID Act was first passed, and 17 years after it was supposed to be implemented. Apparently only 81% of people are passing through checkpoints with REAL ID compliant ID.
In reality, the implementation of this is a phased approach, with those not using a REAL ID still being allowed to fly, but possibly just requiring an extra step at security. Honestly, it’s going to almost be confusing to pass through a US airport and not see the REAL ID signage, since it has been around for as long as I can remember.
Can you believe the REAL ID requirement is finally being implemented?!
"and I can’t imagine there are 19% of travelers using US-issued IDs that aren’t REAL ID compliant"
For instance, according to the news outlets here in WA, they mentioned that only 29% of Washingtonians have an Enhanced Driver License, which in this state is the only way to have a "REAL ID" driver license.
Also, given that this kind of license, at least here in WA, can only be received as a US Citizen, it means that many people won't be able to have one.
"and I can’t imagine there are 19% of travelers using US-issued IDs that aren’t REAL ID compliant"
Not sure why this is so hard to believe, In my line of work many customers send me copies of their IDs and many of them have the "NOT FOR FEDERAL PURPOSES" wording on it. It's not one or two here and there, it's actually quite common... I don't know a percentage, but it's not isolated, it's quite often.
REAL ID propaganda.
Y'all just keep voluntarily give up your privacy. States don't have your back like they used to.
And all those hypocrites who criticized China for being a surveillance state when similar thing is happening at home and you're embracing it.
Global Entry collects much more information than the REAL ID process and plenty of us are happy to give that up for the convenience.
Unless you are incredibly diligent (to a paranoid degree), the concept of privacy is a facade these days. No matter how much you limit data tracking, social media, etc., plenty of records and data trails exist around each of us.
And I'll just go out on a limb and say that the federal government has very strict data privacy policies that it must legally adhere to, even to the point of making it difficult to share information between agencies within the government. Not to mention the internal watchdogs like the Inspectors General, GAO, and mechanisms like FOIA. Or at least it did until the current clownshow. Private companies, and even state and municipal governments, have...
And I'll just go out on a limb and say that the federal government has very strict data privacy policies that it must legally adhere to, even to the point of making it difficult to share information between agencies within the government. Not to mention the internal watchdogs like the Inspectors General, GAO, and mechanisms like FOIA. Or at least it did until the current clownshow. Private companies, and even state and municipal governments, have (had) far less oversight on what they do with your data.
"birthday certificate"... LOL
"Apparently only 81% of people are passing through checkpoints with REAL ID compliant ID."
I still think it's odd how you find that remotely surprising. Literally all that means is that passengers are not carrying a *state ID with real ID*. There are numerous frequent fliers like me who carry legitimate back-up ID (passport and GlobalEntry) because we don't see the point of paying* to renew a driver's license earlier than needed.
*I say "paying"...
"Apparently only 81% of people are passing through checkpoints with REAL ID compliant ID."
I still think it's odd how you find that remotely surprising. Literally all that means is that passengers are not carrying a *state ID with real ID*. There are numerous frequent fliers like me who carry legitimate back-up ID (passport and GlobalEntry) because we don't see the point of paying* to renew a driver's license earlier than needed.
*I say "paying" but obviously it's the standing in line at the DMV that's the real dealbreaker
Agreed - I think the fact that states are concerned about (and in some cases seeing) massive backlogs at DMV's right now around REAL ID's because of this deadline shows how many people did not get them. 19% doesn't surprise me at all.
It's not even a question of renewal opportunity. Plenty of folks may have intended to get a REAL ID at their last renewal and didn't have one of the right documents. Rather...
Agreed - I think the fact that states are concerned about (and in some cases seeing) massive backlogs at DMV's right now around REAL ID's because of this deadline shows how many people did not get them. 19% doesn't surprise me at all.
It's not even a question of renewal opportunity. Plenty of folks may have intended to get a REAL ID at their last renewal and didn't have one of the right documents. Rather than making another appointment or waiting in line a different day, they just renewed the regular one.
Alternatively in some places (like Chicago), the REAL ID lines are separate and long. I had to go back twice to get mine not due to the wrong documents but because the line was so long they cut it off because they couldn't process everyone before closing.
My DL is not real ID compliant but I have a Nexxus card and a Passport. I don't see any need to pay for a real ID when I have these. So I guess I fall into thet 19% as until yesterday I just traveled with the DL.
Bingo! Keep these comments coming. I'm in the same boat... and it's quite a large boat.
Ditto. Last time I renewed my DL, the DMV required something that I didn’t have with me, so I got the non-real ID.
Never worried about it because I’ve had a passport for decades that if necessary could use for RealID.
The real story here is how the "States' Rights" and "Small Government" crowd has hamstrung this entire thing for 2 decades. This would have been very easy and simple to implement if the Federal government issued every person a Federal ID card at birth/naturalization/permanent residency requirements met. Opposition to that has meant that a hodgepodge of state governments with different standards and requirements have all had to implement their own new IDs, most of which...
The real story here is how the "States' Rights" and "Small Government" crowd has hamstrung this entire thing for 2 decades. This would have been very easy and simple to implement if the Federal government issued every person a Federal ID card at birth/naturalization/permanent residency requirements met. Opposition to that has meant that a hodgepodge of state governments with different standards and requirements have all had to implement their own new IDs, most of which come from the DMV because of course you're not actually a person in this country if you don't own a car. You can't tell me that it's actually cheaper or more efficient for 50 different teams to duplicate the work one team could have done.
If you have a Global Entry Card, that’s an acceptable substitute and will be accepted by TSA, instead of real ID!
I never thought, I’d live to see this day. Very overwhelmed to control my emotions
I'm one of the people without a Real ID. To their credit, TSA agents have been reminding me about the deadline for the majority of my flights this year. I'm not surprised there are so many people without one.
The reason I don't have one is that my state has been offering Real ID licenses for about 7 years, and it requires an in person visit to get one. My state also requires me...
I'm one of the people without a Real ID. To their credit, TSA agents have been reminding me about the deadline for the majority of my flights this year. I'm not surprised there are so many people without one.
The reason I don't have one is that my state has been offering Real ID licenses for about 7 years, and it requires an in person visit to get one. My state also requires me to go to DMV in person to renew my license only once every 16 years. My last required in-person renewal was more than 7 years ago and less than 16 years ago.
So my options for domestic travel are a) take the time to go DMV and pay to renew a license that isn't expiring so that I can have Real ID, or b) just take my passport with me when I fly and wait until my regular license renewal to get the Real ID. The latter seems more logical to me.
Bingo. Keep these comments coming -- I'm in the same boat as you, and it's a large boat.
Maybe things are easier in Florida where Ben is based, but getting a state ID renewed earlier than absolutely required in many states is a real headache and, at the very least, an utter waste of time.
Minnesota didn’t offer non-EDL* REAL IDs until 2018, and it’s still a separate option when you go to a state DVS office. Many people I know waited until their renewal came up and opted for a REAL ID then, but I’m sure plenty of people didn’t bring the paperwork and decided to just get a regular ID while they were at the DVS. As such I’d have no trouble believing ~20% of fliers don’t have...
Minnesota didn’t offer non-EDL* REAL IDs until 2018, and it’s still a separate option when you go to a state DVS office. Many people I know waited until their renewal came up and opted for a REAL ID then, but I’m sure plenty of people didn’t bring the paperwork and decided to just get a regular ID while they were at the DVS. As such I’d have no trouble believing ~20% of fliers don’t have a Real ID.
*the Canadian border is quite far North of most of the major population centers, and Enhanced Driver’s Licenses carry a significantly higher cost along with stricter documentation requirement; I don’t think most Minnesotans would get one unless they were either extremely travel savvy or actively planned to travel to Canada by land/sea.
Why states didn’t make issuing a real id the default is baffling to me. It should have been the other way around for years where you had to opt out not opt in. I don’t remember doing anything special (Utah) but we do have one of the more sensible state legislatures so who knows… maybe I did 10 years ago and just don’t remember.
Washington state still doesn't have Real ID with a special exception because that state thought illegal aliens shouldn't be treated differently. Washington DL can be had if you show ID from Guatemala, El Salvador, Mexico, and Honduras but not the UK or New Zealand or EU countries! They refused to hurt illegals' feelings even if it hurt citizens. Faced with federal government sanctions, it said that its Enhaced DL was the real ID product, which...
Washington state still doesn't have Real ID with a special exception because that state thought illegal aliens shouldn't be treated differently. Washington DL can be had if you show ID from Guatemala, El Salvador, Mexico, and Honduras but not the UK or New Zealand or EU countries! They refused to hurt illegals' feelings even if it hurt citizens. Faced with federal government sanctions, it said that its Enhaced DL was the real ID product, which is more expensive, has an embedded chip, and is meant as a passport substitute for land travel to Canada. Crazy support for illegals that doesn't help them but hurts US citizens
How does this hurt US citizens? We don't have internal passports to travel the country like the old USSR. There's no actual need for an ID check unless you're flying international. You're still going through a security scan all the same.
This is wrong. Washington state absolutely issues REAL ID (They call it an enhanced DL. https://dol.wa.gov/id-cards/real-id
There are a range of IDs other than a driver license that qualify. Get over it.
It’s almost as if the entire concept is completely unwarranted.
Virtually every other country requires the same standards. Get over it.
19% isn’t crazy. Only maybe 5 states require a compliant ID (including FL). The rest are opt-in. Don’t forget, about 3.5% of the population is ineligible for real id as they aren’t here legally. This article has good info on real id compliance numbers:
https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/news/real-id-deadline-weeks-away-most-states-not-fully-compliant-yet/
the DMV lines amaze me. I know they have delayed this many times over the years but how long have you all had? Got mine years ago
In Washington state the default drivers license is not RealID compliant. You can request an enhanced license that is, but it costs more and is more of a hassle to acquire. In fact, people on green cards can’t get it at all. So maybe other states have similar situations, and that explains the 19%.
Funny story. About 6 years ago when I lived in Washington state, I brought everything but the kitchen sink to get an enhanced drivers license. In addition to all the other documentation, they insisted on seeing my Social Security card which I didn't have with me. I showed them my US Passport and they told me, "that just means you're a US citizen" and wanted to my social security card. Huh?!? Yes, I had to...
Funny story. About 6 years ago when I lived in Washington state, I brought everything but the kitchen sink to get an enhanced drivers license. In addition to all the other documentation, they insisted on seeing my Social Security card which I didn't have with me. I showed them my US Passport and they told me, "that just means you're a US citizen" and wanted to my social security card. Huh?!? Yes, I had to return the next day with a 50 year old unlaminated piece of cardboard instead of my passport. Still baffled by that. Anyway, just for kicks I did use my EDL to cross the boarder in Niagara Falls and back (even though I had my passport with me).
RI offers Real ID but was not issuing it by default. Instead when you renew your license you get the old non-real kind. You had to specifically request Real ID and there was no explanation of this process really. By the time you discover the mistake, you've already paid the fee and would have to pay again to fix it. I wouldn't be surprised if they did it on purpose to collect extra fees. So they're part of the 19%.
I read an article that 19% on residents of NJ were not compliant, it’s either cumulative across the US or the figure has been misquoted based on 1 state.
I wouldn’t be surprised if 19% of people didn’t have a REAL ID and didn’t bring a passport to fly. When I got my REAL ID they had me bring my passport to the DMV while you didn’t have to if you renewed to a non REAL ID
The Real ID initiative means that a passport from any country is sufficient. Not that a passport does not constitute Real ID.