Flying with the REAL ID – New deadline agreed

What is the REAL ID?

“Beginning May 7, 2025, every air traveler 18 years of age and older will need a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license, state-issued enhanced driver’s license, or another acceptable form of ID to fly within the United States.” (1)

The REAL ID Act establishes minimum security standards for license issuance at the federal level. The purposes covered by the Act include boarding federally regulated commercial aircraft. Passed by Congress in 2005 following a 9/11 Commission recommendation, the REAL ID Act establishes minimum security standards for state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards.

All 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and four of five U.S. territories covered by the REAL ID Act and related regulations are issuing REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses and identification cards.

When will the REAL ID become regulation?

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has extended the REAL ID full enforcement date by 24 months, from May 3, 2023 to May 7, 2025 (2). States will now have additional time to ensure their residents have driver’s licenses and identification cards that meet the security standards established by the REAL ID Act.

How to check you have a REAL ID

If your state-issued driver’s license / ID has a star (and/or flag) or says “Enhanced”, it’s likely you have a REAL ID.

If you hold a driver’s license/ID from a state not yet compliant, and you use it to clear TSA Security at airports when travelling domestically, you will need to show an alternative acceptable form of identification once the deadline passes.

Alternative forms of ID accepted include;

U.S. passport or passport card
DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
U.S. Department of Defense ID, including IDs issued to dependents
Permanent resident card
Border crossing card
State-issued Enhanced Driver’s License
An acceptable photo ID issued by a federally recognized, Tribal Nation/Indian Tribe
HSPD-12 PIV card
Foreign government-issued passport
Canadian provincial driver’s license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card
Transportation worker identification credential
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766)
U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential
Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)

Update – December 2025

Beginning Feb. 1, 2026 (3), the U.S. Transportation Security Administration will charge air travellers $45 if they arrive at airport security without acceptable identification, such as a Real ID-compliant driver’s license or a passport. The fee covers TSA’s new Confirm.ID system, which verifies identity for up to 10 days and takes an average of 10–15 minutes, though it may exceed 30 minutes. The Real ID requirement, implemented by TSA in May, mandates enhanced security standards for state-issued IDs in order to board commercial flights.

It is our business at MIDAS Travel to know what is happening in the travel space, and we ensure that clients are kept informed and that action is taken to prevent any disruption or potential unnecessary charge. To talk about how we could support your travel programme, speak to our client liaison team.

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