Rewritten Article:
Understanding a U.S. Real ID: Guidelines for Acquiring One as the Deadline Approaches
Ready for a truth bomb? If you're residing in the Big Apple, you'd best get your flying act together – the deadline to secure a REAL ID is upon us.
Brace yourself, because as of May 7, 2025, your driver's license or identification card will need to sport a REAL ID to sail through domestic airports in the US. Unfortunately, there's no sign of another delay in sight, so let's wade through the confusion about obtaining a REAL ID, why it's necessary, and the potential consequences if you're REAL ID-less by the deadline:
What's the Real Deal with a REAL ID?
Simply put, it's a state-issued ID or driver's license that's federally approved as a beefed-up form of identification. Apart from needing a REAL ID for domestic flights, you'll also need one to access certain federal buildings and facilities.
So, why the fuss?
When the REAL ID Act was inked into law in 2005, it was a response to the 9/11 Commission's recommendation that the federal government strengthens state-issued driver's license and ID security standards. As John Essig, the Transportation Security Administration's Security Director for airports in the New York City region put it, REAL ID is a combined effort by the feds to enhance the reliability and accuracy of driver's licenses and IDs, with the ultimate goal of inhibiting would-be terrorists from evading detection with phony IDs.
However, the rollout of REAL ID has faced numerous hurdles. As Travel + Leisure's senior editorial director, Nina Ruggiero elucidates, the mandate's implementation has faced repeated delays due to state implementation challenges, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic. The blend of inconsistent state processes and shifting deadlines has made this hoopla over REAL IDs all the more muddled.
Just how do I know if I've already got a REAL ID?
If you've recently procured a new ID, there's a decent possibility it's already REAL ID-compliant. "I often hear from travelers who are puzzled as to whether or not they already have a REAL ID," Ruggiero says. They might've recently renewed their license, only to find they already have a compliant ID without realizing it. Keep this in mind before you dive into the process of getting a new one.
A REAL ID-compliant driver's license will bear a symbol (usually a star) in the upper corner of the card. If you're a resident of Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont, or Washington, you may sport an "enhanced'' ID card instead, which permits you to cross land and sea borders into Mexico and Canada from the U.S. Just remember that an enhanced ID won't let you fly into those countries. Enhanced IDs will don an American flag icon, as well as the word "enhanced" at the top of the card.
But what if I don't have a REAL ID?
The requirements vary from state to state, so pay a visit to your state's driver's licensing agency's website for the specific steps, including whether you'll need an appointment at the DMV and what documents you'll need when you get there.
What exactly happens on May 7, 2025? What if I don't have a REAL ID by then?
If you haven't managed to snag a REAL ID by the deadline and you're planning a domestic flight, you'll need to carry your passport or another TSA-approved form of ID when you jet-set. Otherwise, you could face delays, additional screening, and the possibility of not being allowed into the security checkpoint.
In mid-April, a gaggle of state senators from Kentucky petitioned the agency to delay implementing the new requirements once more. They claimed that their state had limited appointments available for folks seeking the new REAL ID credentials and that there had been a rush to meet the May 7, 2025 deadline.
However, TSA spokesperson Dan Velez shot down the idea of a delay: the agency does not intend to delay the REAL ID deadline again. As of late April, 81% of travelers at TSA checkpoints were presenting acceptable identification, including a state-issued REAL ID, according to the Department of Homeland Security. So, buckle up – REAL IDs are here to stay!
- By May 7, 2025, a REAL ID will be necessary for your driver's license or identification card to be valid for domestic air travel in the US, according to the rewritten article.
- The REAL ID, a state-issued identification, is a federally approved and beefed-up form of identification required for domestic flights and access to certain federal buildings and facilities, the article explains.
- If you're confused about whether you already have a REAL ID, check if your card has a symbol (usually a star) in the upper corner, the article suggests.
- If you don't have a REAL ID by the May 7, 2025 deadline and are planning a domestic flight, you'll need to carry a passport or another TSA-approved form of ID, and potential delays or additional screenings may occur, as stated in the article.
