Read ID vs. driver’s license: Everything you need to know – The Points Guy
As previously reported, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security will finally require American travelers to carry a Real ID for domestic airport travel starting May 7, 2025.
If you’ve traveled through a U.S. airport in the last few years, you may have noticed signs near security checkpoints reminding passengers about the Real ID Act. The law was originally supposed to take effect in 2008, but the deadline has been extended several times.
If you don’t have a Real ID yet, you may be wondering if you can still travel with a regular driver’s license.
Here’s everything you need to know about the upcoming Real ID requirement to ensure your travels go smoothly.
What is the Real ID Act?
Congress passed the Real ID Act in 2005 in response to the 9/11 Commission’s recommendation that the federal government set clearer “standards for the issuance of sources of identification, such as driver’s licenses.”
The law established a uniform set of specifications for driver’s licenses and other government-issued ID cards. It also prohibited government agencies from accepting identification that does not meet the standards of the Real ID Act.
One of the act’s goals was to add an extra layer of security to commercial aviation by making it more difficult for people to obtain false documents to access airplanes.
Government agencies will require more documentation when issuing Real IDs, and the cards are more advanced and, therefore, harder to forge.
The law has taken two decades to implement because each state has different standards and processes for issuing photo IDs. Several states and the American Civil Liberties Union criticized the law, saying that the federal government was overreaching.
Daily Newsletter
Reward your inbox with the TPG Daily newsletter
Join over 700,000 readers for breaking news, in-depth guides and exclusive deals from TPG’s experts
The Real ID Act will now officially go into effect May 7, 2025, giving you less than a year to make sure you have a compliant Real ID — or have plans to obtain one.
How to tell if you have a Real ID
Because this law has been on the books for a while, many states have started issuing Real IDs before they’re federally required, meaning you might already have a Real ID.
Thankfully, there are a few easy ways you can check. Generally, IDs with a star or star cutout are Real ID-compliant.
However, if your ID is missing the star or says something like “federal limits apply” or “not for federal identification,” you do not have a Real ID.
All 50 U.S. states, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa and the Northern Mariana Islands are issuing compliant IDs.
But just because you live in a state that issues a Real ID doesn’t mean you’ll automatically receive one. You may need to provide extra documentation, wait to receive the ID or pay a higher processing fee.
This means you should double-check your ID to see if it’s compliant. If you’re still unsure, the DHS has a short quiz on its website to help you identify whether yours is compliant.
Can I still use a driver’s license to fly in the US?
When the Real ID Act is enacted, passengers will not be allowed through Transportation Security Administration checkpoints without a Real ID. While your driver’s license won’t be sufficient to pass through TSA checkpoints for domestic air travel, you can still travel with a U.S. passport or various TSA-approved forms of identification.
If you don’t upgrade your driver’s license and don’t have a Real ID, you can still use one of the following:
- U.S. passport card
- DHS Trusted Traveler card (Global Entry, Nexus, SENTRI, FAST)
- Permanent resident card
- U.S. Department of Defense ID
- Border-crossing card
- State-issued enhanced driver’s license
- 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
Travelers under 18 don’t need to provide identification when traveling with a companion, which will not change under the Real ID Act.
Do I need a Real ID if I’m enrolled in PreCheck or Global Entry?
Yes. While your Global Entry card is a valid form of ID, you’ll need to bring it (or another compliant photo ID) with you when traveling, even if you’re enrolled in one of these programs. Your TSA PreCheck card does not qualify.
My state is compliant with Real ID. Does this mean my driver’s license is OK?
Not necessarily. Just because your state issues compliant IDs doesn’t mean you received one. Check for the star or star cutout to confirm your ID is compliant.
The Real ID regulation requires that states recertify their compliance with the act every three years, on a rolling basis, as determined by DHS.
Do I need a Real ID to fly if I’m under 18?
No, minors traveling with a companion do not need to present a photo ID (though their companion does).
How much does it cost to get a Real ID vs. a driver’s license?
The cost of Real IDs and driver’s licenses varies by state, ranging from approximately $10 to $85 for Real IDs and $24 to $30 for regular driver’s licenses.
Bottom line
If your driver’s license is already Real ID-compliant, you have nothing to worry about, as these upcoming changes won’t affect you. However, if your license isn’t up to the standard of the Real ID Act, you should strongly consider upgrading it as soon as possible to avoid crowds and long wait times as next year’s deadline approaches.
Related reading:
