Beginning May 7 2025, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will require every passenger 18 or older to show a REAL ID–compliant license/ID or another secure document (e.g., passport) before boarding a domestic flight in the United States1. Because most international itineraries include a U.S. domestic connection, the rule matters to foreign visitors, returning U.S. citizens, and connecting travelers just as much as to people flying only between Dallas and Denver. Below you’ll find what REAL ID is, who probably already has one, how to spot the tell‑tale star, and the alternatives that still work at TSA.
1. What Exactly Is REAL ID?
- Federal security standard. Congress passed the REAL ID Act in 2005 after a 9/11 Commission recommendation to make state IDs harder to forge1.
- Star‑marked license. States add a gold or black star (or state‑shaped variant) to indicate the card meets DHS security benchmarks.
- Enforcement date. After several COVID‑related delays, full enforcement starts 7 May 20252. TSA says no further extensions are planned.
Possible “soft launch.” TSA officials told ABC News they will run a two‑year phased enforcement in which non‑compliant travelers may receive a warning the first time—but they should still expect extra screening and long waits8.
2. Who Already Has a REAL ID—and Who Probably Doesn’t?
| More Likely to Be REAL ID‑Ready | Less Likely (Check Your Wallet!) |
|---|---|
| Frequent flyers & business travelers (81 % of passengers already show REAL ID or another acceptable ID at checkpoints)2, 3 | People who haven’t flown since before the pandemic and never upgraded their license |
| Anyone who renewed a license since ≈2021 (most states now default to REAL ID issuance) | Residents of slow‑adopting states—e.g., New Jersey (17 % compliance)6, Pennsylvania, Maine |
| Residents of high‑compliance states: CO, FL, GA, MD, NE, SD, WY, DC (≈100 %)5; TX 98 %, HI 96 % | Older drivers on 8‑ or 10‑year license cycles who renewed before REAL ID rolled out |
Nation‑wide, only ≈56 % of all driver’s licenses/IDs in circulation were REAL ID‑compliant as of early 2024; DHS projects about 61 % by the deadline, leaving tens of millions to catch up3.
3. How to Tell if Your ID Is REAL ID‑Compliant
- Look for the star ⭐ in the upper corner.
- If you live in MI, MN, NY, VT, or WA and paid extra for an Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL), look for the U.S. flag icon or the word “Enhanced.” EDLs count even without the star1.
- If the card says “Federal Limits Apply” or simply lacks a star/flag, it is not compliant.
(Paper interim licenses issued while you wait for the plastic card will not be accepted at TSA.)
4. Acceptable Alternatives if You Don’t Have a REAL ID
TSA will accept any of the following7:
- U.S. Passport Book or Passport Card
- DHS Trusted‑Traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
- U.S. Military or DoD CAC ID
- Permanent Resident (“Green”) Card
- Federally recognized tribal photo ID
- Enhanced Driver’s License (MI, MN, NY, VT, WA)
- Foreign passport (for international visitors connecting within the U.S.)
If your license isn’t compliant and you don’t carry one of these, TSA will attempt a secondary identity‑verification process—but it’s time‑consuming and not guaranteed to succeed2. Bring proper ID or risk missing your flight.
5. Does This Affect International & Non‑U.S. Travelers?
| Scenario | What to Show at TSA | REAL ID Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Foreign visitor arriving in JFK, connecting to LAX | Your foreign passport | Passport is always acceptable; no state ID needed |
| U.S. citizen returning from abroad, connecting domestically | U.S. passport | Passport satisfies REAL ID rule |
| Non‑citizen resident with state license | If license has the star, you’re set; otherwise passport or Green Card | Same rule as for citizens: non‑compliant licenses are not accepted |
| Domestic flight only | REAL ID license or alternative ID above | Starting May 7 you can’t use a “legacy” license |
6. How to Get Your REAL ID (Quick Checklist)
- Book a DMV appointment early (lines grow as deadline nears).
- Bring:
- Proof of identity (certified birth certificate or passport)
- Social Security document (SSN card, W‑2, or tax form)
- Two proofs of address (utility bill, bank statement, lease, etc.)
- Proof of legal presence if not a U.S. citizen (visa, I‑94, etc.)
- Pay the normal renewal/upgrade fee, take a new photo, and wait for the hard‑plastic card in the mail.
- Test‑drive the star: pull out your new license and double‑check the star/flag before your next trip.
Need state‑specific details? Use DHS’s interactive “Am I REAL ID Ready?” tool or click your state on the DHS REAL ID map1.
7. Key Takeaways
- May 7 2025 is the point of no return—no star, no flight (unless you use another approved ID).
- About 4 in 5 travelers are already compliant, but millions still need an upgrade2, 3.
- A passport (book or card) remains the universal fallback.
- International visitors are fine with their passports; they do not need a U.S. REAL ID license.
- Don’t rely on “leniency.” Even in a phased rollout, TSA’s identity‑verification backup can add hours or deny boarding outright.
Bottom line: Check your wallet today. If there’s a star, you’re good. If not, grab your passport or head to the DMV before your next boarding pass prints.
References
- U.S. Department of Homeland Security. “REAL ID | Homeland Security.” https://www.dhs.gov/real-id (Accessed May 2025). ↩︎
- Transportation Security Administration. “TSA Begins REAL ID Full Enforcement on May 7.” Press Release, 11 Apr 2025. tsa.gov. ↩︎
- Zimmerman, A. “What to Know About Getting a REAL ID as Airport Requirement Nears.” ABC News, 15 Apr 2025. abcnews.go.com. ↩︎
- Cerullo, M. “Real ID Deadline Is Just Around the Corner. Here’s What to Know.” CBS News, 4 May 2025. cbsnews.com. ↩︎
- CBS News Data Team. “Real ID Deadline Weeks Away and Most States Aren’t Fully Compliant Yet.” CBS News, 22 Apr 2025. cbsnews.com. ↩︎
- CBS New York Staff. “New Jersey Has the Lowest REAL ID Compliance in the Nation So Far.” CBS News, 28 Apr 2025. cbsnews.com. ↩︎
- Transportation Security Administration. “Acceptable Identification at the TSA Checkpoint.” tsa.gov. ↩︎
- Hogan, A. “REAL ID: What to Know About Upcoming Requirements.” ABC News, 8 Feb 2025. abcnews.go.com. ↩︎
