Countdown to REAL ID Deadline: Travelers Urged to Act Before May 7

Countdown to REAL ID Deadline: Travelers Urged to Act Before May 7

DECK
As the clock ticks down, millions of Americans risk travel disruptions without updated IDs; here’s what you can use if you don’t have a REAL ID yet.

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KEY FACTS

• What: Travelers over 18 will need a REAL ID-compliant document for U.S. domestic flights.
• When: Requirement goes into effect on May 7.
• Where: All U.S. airport security checkpoints.
• Why: Enforcement of the 2005 REAL ID Act for enhanced security standards.
• How: Through updated driver's licenses with a star marking or alternative accepted forms of ID.
• Alternatives: Passports, enhanced driver’s licenses, and other federally approved documents.

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SITUATION SNAPSHOT
Long lines snake through DMV offices as Americans scramble to update their identification before the looming deadline. While some travelers arrive prepared, others are confused or unaware that after May 7, a standard license may no longer get them past TSA security at domestic airports.

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WHAT WE KNOW
Beginning May 7, all domestic air travelers in the United States aged 18 or older must present a REAL ID-compliant license or alternative approved identification to clear TSA checkpoints. This policy, part of the federal REAL ID Act passed in 2005, is being enforced after years of postponements tied to state-level logistical challenges and the COVID-19 pandemic.

A REAL ID is a state-issued driver’s license or identification card marked by a star in the top corner. Despite the visual clue, many Americans are still unsure whether their IDs are compliant. "Some people who have recently renewed their license may already have a compliant ID and not know it," explained Nina Ruggiero, senior editorial director at Travel + Leisure.

In addition to REAL IDs, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) accepts several other forms of identification, including Enhanced Driver’s Licenses (EDLs), U.S. passports, Department of Defense IDs, permanent resident cards, and others issued by federal agencies or tribal governments.

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WHAT’S NEXT
Travelers without a REAL ID should consider alternate identification options, such as passports or other federally approved documents, to avoid potential disruptions at airport checkpoints. No further deadline extensions are expected. The Department of Homeland Security and the TSA have confirmed that enforcement will begin as scheduled.

Local DMVs are experiencing a surge in appointment requests, and some state officials have petitioned for an additional delay. However, "the agency does not intend to delay the REAL ID deadline again," TSA spokesperson Dan Velez told the Associated Press.

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VOICES ON THE GROUND
“REAL ID is a coordinated effort by the federal government to improve the reliability and accuracy of driver’s licenses and identification cards,” said John Essig, TSA Security Director for airports in the New York City area.

"I also hear from travelers who are confused as to whether or not they already have a REAL ID," added Nina Ruggiero.

TSA spokesperson Lisa Farbstein warned that failure to bring proper ID after May 7 could result in "delays, additional screening and the possibility of not being permitted into the security checkpoint."

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CONTEXT
The REAL ID Act was introduced following recommendations from the 9/11 Commission and signed into law in 2005 to standardize identification documents across states. Originally scheduled to roll out in 2008, implementation has been repeatedly delayed due to state-level technical setbacks and public health emergencies.

Enhanced Driver’s Licenses (EDLs), available in Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont, and Washington, offer an alternative to REAL IDs and can also be used for land and sea travel to Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean. While not all carry a star, they are marked with an American flag and the word “enhanced.”

As of late April, DHS reported that 81% of individuals passing through TSA checkpoints were already using approved forms of identification.

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REPORTER INSIGHT
With barely days remaining, the sense of urgency is tangible at DMVs nationwide. The last-minute rush reflects both confusion and procrastination. Whether due to misinformation or busy schedules, travelers now face the very real possibility of disruption. For many, the next few days could determine whether their upcoming trip takes off—or never gets off the ground.