Real ID Deadline Nears as Millions Remain Unprepared for May 7 Enforcement

With only a month left, DMV offices are overwhelmed, and TSA confirms phased enforcement for domestic travelers without compliant IDs.

Starting May 7, 2025, travelers aged 18 and older will need a Real ID or an alternative form of identification, such as a passport, to board domestic flights or access federal facilities.
Only 61.2% of Americans are projected to have Real ID-compliant identification by the deadline, leading to increased demand at DMV offices nationwide.
TSA plans a phased enforcement approach, with travelers without Real IDs facing delays or additional screening at airport checkpoints.
Enhanced Driver’s Licenses, available in select states, and passports remain valid alternatives for meeting the new identification requirements.
The Real ID Act, passed in 2005 following 9/11 Commission recommendations, aims to standardize identification security across states but has faced years of delays and logistical hurdles.