The REAL ID Deadline Is Here, 17 Years Late: Not Much Is Changing, Though

For literally my entire adult life, the US government has been saying that the REAL ID requirement for travel would be implemented imminently. However, it kept getting pushed back. Well, today is a big day, as the REAL ID requirement is finally being implemented, though with some flexibility.

REAL ID enforcement starts today, May 7, 2025

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is starting with REAL ID enforcement as of today, May 7, 2025. With this policy being implemented, federal agencies, including the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), are prohibited from accepting driver’s licenses and identification cards that do not meet these federal standards…

…well, sort of. While the requirement is being implemented as of today, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem states that those without a REAL ID will still be able to fly, it’ll just require an extra step at security. As she explained, “people will be allowed to fly,” and “we will make sure it’s as seamless as possible,” but those without REAL ID “may be diverted to a different line, have an extra step.”

REAL ID is intended to establish minimum security standards, including incorporating anti-counterfeiting technology, preventing insider fraud, and using documentary evidence and record checks to ensure a person is who they claim to be.

All 50 US states, the District of Columbia, and five US territories covered by the REAL ID Act, are issuing REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses and identification cards. However, the TSA claims that currently REAL ID compliance at security checkpoints is 81%, meaning that’s the percentage of people showing up with a REAL ID or their passport.

I would imagine that 19% of travelers without REAL ID consists largely of foreign visitors, who don’t have REAL ID, for obvious reasons. Then there’s also some percentage of Americans who don’t have REAL ID, including in states that let you renew your license online, which won’t trigger getting a REAL ID if you haven’t had one before.

If you’re not sure if your ID is a REAL ID, you can identify a REAL ID by the star on the top right corner. You can obtain a REAL ID by going to the DMV, and you’ll need to bring a valid ID, passport, or birthday certificate, proof of your social security number, proof of your date of birth, and two items that show residence.

I totally get the DHS wanting people to have REAL IDs, though it seems like a REAL ID is never actually going to be a requirement to fly, since that would exclude foreign travelers.

Why was the REAL ID deadline extended so often?

For context, the REAL ID Act was passed by Congress in 2005, following a 9/11 Commission recommendation. The REAL ID requirements were initially supposed to be implemented as of 2008. The initial delays were because many state governments refused to enact these requirements. States started consistently becoming compliant in 2012, and enforcement began in 2014 for certain federal facilities.

However, we then saw several more delays, and ultimately the pandemic delayed implementation several additional years, due to the backlog that created for state driver’s licensing agencies. Most recently, the deadline was extended by two years, from May 2023 to May 2025.

It’s kind of unbelievable to think how often this has now been delayed. As I mentioned at the beginning of this post, this requirement was supposed to be implemented when I was 18 years old, and I’m now nearly twice that age. If nothing else, think of how much money has been spent on airport signage related to upcoming REAL ID deadlines.

Bottom line

The REAL ID deadline has been implemented as of May 7, 2025, two decades after the REAL ID Act was first passed, and 17 years after it was supposed to be implemented. Apparently only 81% of people are passing through checkpoints with REAL ID compliant IDs, though that 19% largely reflects foreign visitors.

In reality, the implementation of this is a phased approach, with those not using a REAL ID still being allowed to fly, but possibly just requiring an extra step at security. Honestly, it’s going to almost be confusing to pass through a US airport and not see the REAL ID signage, since it has been around for as long as I can remember.

Can you believe the REAL ID requirement is finally being implemented?!