TSA Unveils New Real ID Mandate: What Travelers Must Know Before Their Next Flight!

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has officially announced the deadline for the Real ID requirement, which will soon become compulsory for travelers to pass through airport security in the U.S.

Starting May 7, 2025, passengers will be required to present a state-issued driver’s license or identification card that possesses Real ID certification to navigate airport security in the U.S. Those lacking a Real ID or an accepted substitute will be barred from entry at TSA checkpoints.

Identification that meets Real ID standards is being issued across all 50 U.S. states, along with Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands.

While Real ID cards may have slight differences in design depending on the state, they generally display a star or a star-shaped cutout in the upper left or right corner. IDs that include texts like “federal limits apply” or “not for federal identification” do not meet Real ID compliance.

The Real ID Act, which was passed nearly 20 years ago by Congress, encountered lengthy implementation delays at the state level due to varying regulations. Consequently, the requirement for Real ID-compliant identification at domestic airport security checkpoints has faced multiple postponements since 2020, first because of the COVID-19 pandemic and later for various other reasons.

Even though the deadline is approaching in a few months, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has rolled out a gradual transition, with comprehensive enforcement set to commence on May 5, 2027.

“Identity verification is central to security,” stated TSA’s administrator, David Pekoske, in a statement. “I encourage those who rely on a driver’s license or state-issued identification card as their main form of ID for accessing federal facilities or boarding commercial flights, to confirm that these credentials comply with REAL ID standards. We are dedicated to collaborating with the public, licensing entities, and states to ensure a seamless transition to REAL ID enforcement starting May 7, 2025, which this regulation supports.”

Passengers may continue to utilize other forms of identification for air travel, including a U.S. passport, a U.S. passport card, a DHS trusted traveler card (Global Entry, Nexus, Sentri, or Fast), a permanent resident card, a valid photo ID issued by a federally recognized Tribal Nation or Indian tribe, an HSPD-12 PIV card, or a passport issued by a foreign government.