The Real Deal: What Every American Traveler Needs to Know About Real ID Requirements

For millions of American travelers, the morning of May 7, 2025, marked more than just another Wednesday – it was the day that brought a fundamental shift to domestic air travel. After nearly two decades since Congress first passed the Real ID Act in 2005, the long-awaited enforcement finally arrived, and with it, a new chapter in airport security procedures across the United States.

A Star is Born (On Your Driver's License)

The most telling sign that travelers have adapted to the new reality comes from TSA officials themselves. "I don't think we've ever seen quite as many passports, certainly not for domestic flights," noted Gerardo Spero, TSA federal security director for Pennsylvania and Delaware, after observing the first day of enforcement. Many savvy travelers opted to use their passports as identification rather than scrambling to obtain a Real ID at the last minute.

For those wondering what makes an ID "Real ID compliant," the answer is surprisingly simple to spot. REAL ID-compliant identification cards are marked with a star on the top right corner. The star is usually black or gold and may vary depending on the state. Some states have added their own creative touches – the most recent version of Michigan's card features a star within the state's silhouette, while California displays the star inside a golden bear outline. Pennsylvania's version uses negative space within a gold circle much like DC which does the same with a black circle.

The Great Last-Minute Rush

The weeks leading up to the May 7 deadline painted a picture of procrastination on a national scale. In downtown Chicago, a line Wednesday morning to get into a walk-in "supercenter" dedicated to issuing REAL IDs wrapped around a city block – though it did progress at a relatively quick rate.

This scenario played out across the country, with state DMV offices experiencing unprecedented demand. The mad dash wasn't entirely surprising, considering that about 19% percent of people flying nationwide do not have them yet, the TSA says. The percentage varies wildly state by state. The problem was in the rollout which had been pushed back so many times over the last few years that many people weren't sure if this was actually going to go into effect or not.

I had actually been pre-approved 2 years ago for mine but never bothered to get it as I have a passport since most of my travel is international. I only just decided to get it in early April after I found out how easy it would be to obtain. For me, it was just a case of logging into my DMV account and answering a couple of questions, digitally signing, and paying the fee. One week later I had my new DL without having to even go in for a new picture. That part is actually funny because the last time I renewed was during the height of the pandemic which allowed me renew online without a new photo as well (they just used my previous one from their database) so by the time my next renewal comes up my photo and my actual appearance will be off by 20+ years. Perpetually young!

When the Rubber Meets the Runway

Despite concerns about potential chaos, the first day of enforcement proceeded more smoothly than many anticipated. The TSA remarked that relatively few passengers were diverted for additional screening due to non-compliant IDs. The TSA had prepared for various scenarios, with officials reassuring travelers that even those without proper identification wouldn't necessarily be turned away.

Several airports had created a specific security line for any travelers lacking the proper documentation but ended up dropping the practice due to the lack of need as most travelers had the cards. For those without they just required a little more processing time to get through. The same was true for the Memorial Day weekend which saw a record 3 million passengers screened at TSA checkpoints on Friday alone. Despite these crowds there was very little impact to delays outside of the usual ones (people trying to bring firearms aboard are much more of a disruption for example). This was easily the biggest test and success of the Real ID program being the fist major long weekend for travel and the TSA handled it well.

Your Passport to Domestic Travel

For travelers who haven't yet obtained a Real ID, the good news is that several alternatives remain available. A standard U.S. passport continues to be the most popular backup option, and for good reason – it's accepted without question for both domestic and international travel.

Other acceptable forms of identification include Enhanced Driver's Licenses (available in select states), military IDs, permanent resident cards, and various other federally recognized documents. Trusted Traveler Id cards such as Global Entry are also accepted, at least at the time of this writing but that may be subject to change at any point. Children under 18 don't need any identification to fly within the United States when traveling with an adult companion although individual airlines may have their own requirements.

The Real ID Reality Check

So what is the point of it in the first place? The Real ID Act emerged from the post-9/11 security landscape, specifically following the 9/11 Commission's recommendation that the Federal Government "set standards for the issuance of sources of identification, such as driver's licenses." The enhanced security features include anti-counterfeiting technology designed to make fraudulent IDs more difficult to produce.

For travelers still on the fence about obtaining a Real ID, the process involves gathering several key documents: proof of identity (such as a birth certificate or passport), proof of Social Security number, and two proofs of state residency. The additional fee varies by state – for example, West Virginia charges a $10 Real ID fee plus standard license costs while in Pennsylvania it will cost an extra $30. The good thing is that once you have your Real ID license you do not need to pay the additional fee again when you renew, you just pay your usual renewal fees.

Looking Forward: Smooth Skies Ahead

As the dust settles on the Real ID implementation, early indicators suggest that American travelers are adapting well to the new requirements. The combination of increased passport usage and successful Real ID adoption appears to be creating a more streamlined experience than initially feared.

For those still planning to obtain their Real ID, travel experts recommend acting sooner rather than later. As we approach the busy summer travel season once the kids are out of school there will be increasingly higher numbers of people realizing they need Real ID to board their flights, at least for those Americans who don't have a passport. Considering that more than half of Americans don't have a passport that translates into a lot of folks who are going to be in a mad dash to go through the Real ID process.

The Real ID rollout represents more than just a new checkpoint requirement – it's a reminder of how travel security continues to evolve in response to changing times. For American travelers, whether they're carrying a star-marked license or a well-traveled passport, the message is clear: the journey continues, just with a slightly different form of identification in hand.

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Happy Travels!