Heads up if you’ve got travel plans soon — the clock is ticking on the Real ID deadline, and this time, the government looks serious about it.
Starting May 7, anyone flying within the U.S. will need a Real ID-compliant license or another approved ID like a passport to get past airport security. No excuses, no exceptions.
According to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), about 81% of travelers coming through airport checkpoints already have a Real Identification — but that number changes depending on where you live.
Lately, federal and state officials have been pushing people hard to book appointments at their local DMV to upgrade their license or ID before the deadline hits. The problem? Appointments are filling up fast.
“Get your appointment locked in as soon as you can,” said John Essig, TSA’s federal security director for the New York City area, speaking at a press event at LaGuardia Airport earlier this month. “Nobody wants to be the person stuck at security without the right ID,” Essig added.
If you’ve been through a U.S. airport in the past few years, you’ve probably seen signs about Real Identification everywhere — though the deadline has been delayed multiple times already. Just this week, a TSA officer at LaGuardia was handing out flyers with a QR code that links directly to Real ID info.
Airlines have been doing their part too, sending reminders through customer emails and flashing alerts on their websites. Frontier Airlines, for example, has a noticeable gray banner across its site, warning travelers about the upcoming Real Identification rule.
Real ID: What It Means, Who Needs It, and What Happens If You Don’t Have One
Let’s clear it up — a Real ID is just a tougher version of your regular license or state ID. It follows stricter federal rules that came out after 9/11. Some of the attackers back then had fake or fraudulently obtained IDs, and that loophole needed closing.
In 2005, Congress passed the Real ID Act to fix that. It gave the federal government the power to set the rules for how states issue IDs. The law was supposed to kick in back in 2008, but it kept getting delayed. The pandemic pushed it back again.
You’ll know you’ve got a Real Identification if there’s a gold or black star on the top right corner. In California, it’s a yellow bear instead. If you don’t see one of those? It’s not Real ID-compliant — and TSA won’t let it slide.
Who needs it?
Anyone 18 or older who’s flying within the U.S. needs to show a Real Identification or another approved ID at security.
Are there other options?
Yes. If you can’t get a Real Identification by May 7, you can still fly. TSA accepts a valid U.S. passport, a green card, or a trusted traveler card like Global Entry.
Can you use a Real ID to fly internationally?
No. Real ID works for domestic flights only. If you want something that covers border crossings too, look into an “enhanced ID.” That version works for trips to Canada and Mexico.
Is the deadline real this time?
TSA says yes. If you don’t have a Real ID or another accepted document, expect longer wait times. Security will take longer because officers have to do more to confirm your identity.
You might get pulled aside for extra screening. And there’s a chance you won’t be allowed through at all.
TSA is telling travelers without Real Identification to show up three hours early — even for short domestic flights.
“We’re going to check every ID,” said TSA spokesperson Carter Langston. “Nobody gets past security until we know who they are.”
